This is another one of those deals where the legal system of another country has completely gone overboard with the application of their laws on foreign citizens. How many thousands of contractors have transited through their airport over the course of this war, all spending money in their shops or even staying at local hotels, and this is how you treat them? Last I checked, the UAE and the US were still friendly towards one another, and this is how they treat a citizen of the US?
Nicholas Moody served his country in the National Guard during the war, and he was serving his country again as a security contractor, and this is no way to treat a veteran like this. Especially imprisoning the guy over something as stupid as carrying a weapons cleaning kit and a forward grip, or whatever minor parts he needed to do his job. The US Embassy in the UAE should be all over this one.
Now if he had an RPG or AK 47 in his bag, I might see the logic with the UAE detaining him. But for something as petty and as stupid as this, and for over seven weeks? Shame on the UAE. Commonsense should dictate here, and I highly recommend everyone to friend request the Facebook Page for freeing Nicholas Moody and write the US Embassy in the UAE, and do what you can to support his release. –Matt
Security contractor from Nevada locked up in UAE for 7 weeks
By Greg Botelho
A security contractor from Nevada has been locked up for seven weeks in the United Arab Emirates, his mother said Thursday, as his family seeks answers about what landed him in prison and how long he’ll remain there.
Having served in Iraq and then Afghanistan as part of the California and then Nevada National Guards, Nicholas Moody, 23, was working for a private security contractor when he stopped over in Abu Dhabi, his mother Lorina Moody told CNN. He was arrested on September 29, during an 18-hour layover while heading back from Iraq, for carrying firearms accessories — parts that could accompany a gun, though no firearm itself — which is illegal in the United Arab Emirates, his mother said.
“Our son is the type of individual who would not have willingly broken the law,” said Moody, of Susanville, California. “Now, we’re caught in a situation where we don’t [know] where to turn to. We don’t really have any way of knowing what’s going to happen to him.”
The U.S. State Department confirmed that Nicholas Moody has been detained, saying that U.S. consular officers visited him on September 30, October 6 and November 10.
“During those visits, he conveyed he was being treated fairly,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor the case.”
Nicholas’ family, meanwhile, is hoping for action. Lorina Moody said she’s talked to her son briefly two weeks, the last time on November 11. Only recently did the family find an English-speaking lawyer, and he has only been able to talk to Nicholas twice.
While she has been assured Nicholas is doing well, Lorina Moody said she’s still coming to grips to how he landed in jail.
After graduating from Susanville’s Lassen High School in 2005, Nicholas enrolled in the California National Guard and, for a time, served in Iraq, according to his mother. He later moved to Reno, intending to attend the University of Nevada campus there, and also joined the Nevada National Guard.
Nicholas became an inactive Guardsman when he took his latest job in Iraq with the security company, which Lorina Moody declined to name. According to CNN affiliate WTVN, he was carrying a front grip and cleaning kit for a gun and other items he needed as an armed guard when he was caught.
“It seems so ironic that a man who, after serving our country in two combat zones … is the one who got pulled aside,” Lorina Moody said.
While ceding that the parts he was carrying might constitute a crime in the UAE, she said she did not feel what Nicholas has gone through so far — including limited contact with his family, lawyer and the U.S. government, as well as little understanding of the possible sentence — exceeds what he deserves.
Lorina Moody said she initially kept the matter private, so as not to “inflame the situation.” But, heeding the advice of her son’s lawyer in the Persian Gulf country, she’s taken the cause public in recent days — reaching to out the media and setting up a Facebook page.
Nicholas’ next court date is November 29, though his mother said she’s not sure what could happen to him — whether he’ll be sentenced to time served, be compelled to spend months or years more in prison or have to pay a fine.
Until then, she’s talking and hoping for the best. She describes her contact with U.S. officials so far as “courteous,” but “minimal.” And she hopes getting Nicholas’ story out there will help his cause.
“I understand” the limits on what officials can do, she said. “But I am this man’s mother, and that is not enough.”
Story here.
Facebook Page for Free Nicholas Moody here.
Facebook Page for US Embassy in the UAE here.
Something that has been bugging me for a while is the age of some of these guys coming through as contractors. 23 is way to young for this type of job. Granted they will more then likely have combat experience, but that dosn't always bring maturity and rational descion making. Time after time I have worked with guys of a similar age, and in the vast majority of cases they haven't been able to deal with situations in a mature way. This is especially important when dealing with clients. I'm not just talking about at the business end of the job, but also the day to day interactions with the client. We've just fired a young ex marine, 24 years old with 4 years military, for telling the client how great it is he gets paid so much with a chance to shoot Afghanis. Not a good look. There are exceptions to the rule, but so far I have found very few. The industry needs to start taking a good look at the age some of these guys, as well as length of service. Just because youv'e served your country dosnt make you a great contractor.
Comment by afghankiwi — Saturday, November 20, 2010 @ 12:58 PM
Hi Matt
I certainly learnt my lesson. I was on route back home on leave from Iraq when I was stopped carrying 4 x 9mm mags wrapped in plastic. Brand new, I purchased them for my side arm back home which are three times the price. Anyway, when checking in in Iraq the airport security said it was fine that the tin plate magazines would not be a threat in any way, unlike the 2m tea pot that you can buy at the Duty Free in Dubai along with litres of flammable liquer, 2m steel tripods, cooking appliances with all sorts of blades……… The point is that these idiots think they are protecting travellers. All they do is harass and inconvenience everyone. I no longer fly through Dubai at all now. So they can shove there stinking attitude and stay out of my country where we dont pretend to be civilised.
Comment by Craig — Saturday, November 20, 2010 @ 1:54 PM
To add to this…. They stopped me and took me to the airport security office and made me wait while they tried to find a duty officer who was too busy walking around trying to feel important with his snow white pajamas and 2 hour shave. Then they made me sign some document written in squibble also confiscating the mags. I cant stand stupid people. I would rather drive home than fly through stinking Dubai airport.
Comment by Craig — Saturday, November 20, 2010 @ 1:59 PM
I was just going to put down my feelings regarding this story but this reply from afghankiwi beat me to it.
The security company's must be getting desperate if they are hiring 23 year old national guard's.
I am in no way disrespecting the national guard and feel very sorry for Nicholas but the fact of the matter is that this problem to me seems to be down to inexperiance in this kind of job.
During my travel's doing this work I have seen many guys who will never understand the concept of this work or traveling low profile as they walk around Dubai airport flashing ID cards around there neck dressed in 511 with green army bags because they still think the job they are doing is cool.
The company's should take responsibility before the industry is destroyed and realise that this is a dangerous job that needs mature and experianced operators who know how the game is played.
Comment by Marc H — Saturday, November 20, 2010 @ 4:22 PM
That's a young guy. I'm not going to make blanket statements about his age like some of these other individuals but it is interesting none-the-less. Either way, I hope the federal government is doing all they can but I'm not holding my f&cking breath.
Comment by Jason A — Monday, November 22, 2010 @ 4:09 AM
What company was employing this person?
Comment by Samuel — Thursday, November 25, 2010 @ 11:47 AM
Samuel, good question and I don't know.
Comment by headjundi — Thursday, November 25, 2010 @ 1:14 PM
SOC is who he worked for.
Comment by Derrick — Monday, November 29, 2010 @ 1:43 AM
Same thing happened to me, sorry to bring up such an old topic (6 years to be exact) but this is scary.
I was carrying a $2000 ACOG for my 5.56 sporting rifle (I shoot IPSC) when I went through Dubai, they confiscated it from me the same with my Serpa holster. Plus, I was forced to pay a $130 fine.
I strongly recommend against travelling to Dubai (or transiting) if you’re bringing weapon accessories / etc.
Comment by Vic — Monday, September 5, 2016 @ 7:54 AM