Somali Pirates Set To Make Initial Appearance In Norfolk Court

Fourteen Somali and Yemeni pirates suspected of playing a role in the tragic shooting deaths of four American citizens back in February are scheduled to appear before a judge in the U.S. District Court in Norfolk on Thursday, March 10th. The fourteen suspects are facing multiple charges including piracy, kidnapping and possessing illegal firearms.

The four victims of the February attack off the East African coast near Oman were identified as Scott and Jean Adam of Southern California, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, both of Seattle. It was reported that the four Americans were sailing around the world delivering bibles to churches in remote locations at the time of the attack. Scott Adam had spent his career as a filmmaker in Hollywood but enrolled at the Fuller Theological Seminary in 1996.

The Adam’s yacht was attacked and boarded by Somali pirates on February 18th. The American travelers were held hostage while U.S. naval forces attempted to negotiate with the pirates. According to reports by Pentagon officials, gunfire erupted on the Adam’s yacht on February 22nd while negotiations were in progress. U.S. naval forces responded to the gunfire and were able to capture fourteen pirate suspects. Unfortunately, by the time naval forces boarded the yacht, the four Americans had been shot and killed.

The suspects were turned over to the U.S. Justice Department on March 9th and were subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury. Local Norfolk news sources have reported that a press conference has been scheduled for Thursday afternoon where U.S. Attorney Neil McBride plans to further discuss the charges pending against the pirate suspects.