{"id":19906,"date":"2026-02-23T08:11:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T14:11:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=19906"},"modified":"2026-02-21T08:48:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T14:48:12","slug":"grand-forks-kidnapping-case-ends-with-5-year-prison-term","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/grand-forks-kidnapping-case-ends-with-5-year-prison-term\/","title":{"rendered":"Grand Forks Kidnapping Case Ends With 5-Year Prison Term"},"content":{"rendered":"

Grand Forks<\/strong> (trfnews.i234.me<\/a>) \u2014 A Grand Forks man will spend five years in prison. The sentence follows a kidnapping of a stranger, prosecutors said.<\/p>\n

Abdi Ahmed Ali pleaded guilty to kidnapping on Friday, Feb. 20. The case started in April, according to court filings.<\/p>\n

What happened<\/h2>\n

Police said the victim was sitting in his car in a store parking lot. The location was near Al Amiin Grocery<\/a> on South Washington Street.<\/p>\n

Authorities said Ali got into the vehicle without permission. Prosecutors said he pointed what looked like a handgun. They said he forced the victim to drive across town.<\/p>\n

The victim drove to the Islamic Center of Grand Forks<\/a>, police said. Ali ran inside, according to investigators.<\/p>\n

Officers said Ali threw the weapon into a trash can. The gun was later found to be a replica, officials said. Police also said Ali removed his clothes before leaving.<\/p>\n

The victim drove away and called 911, prosecutors said. Ali was arrested at the Islamic center, authorities said.<\/p>\n

\"Abdi
Abdi Ahmed Ali<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Court outcome<\/h2>\n

A judge sentenced Ali to five years in prison. The case was prosecuted by Grand Forks County officials.<\/p>\n

Grand Forks County Assistant State\u2019s Attorney Sarah Gereszek described the incident as traumatic. She said the victim did not know firearms. She said he believed the gun was real.<\/p>\n

Immigration consequences<\/h2>\n

Because the conviction is a felony, Ali could be deported after prison. Any removal decision would be handled in federal immigration court.<\/p>\n

Readers can learn more about federal enforcement at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Public records and resources<\/h2>\n