Although Toby and Linda came from two different worlds - he was born in Iraq and she's of German heritage - love brought them together. Their dedication for their children kept them, despite their divorce and remarriages, good friends. What happened to their daughter Dawn has brought them closer than ever before as they've teamed up with their children and other loved ones to help free her.

"This case destroyed our family. It tore us apart"

Dawn Hanna

Who is Dawn Hanna?
Dawn is a 37 year old all-American from Rochester, Michigan. She has been incarcerated for over one year (of a 6 year sentence) in federal prison, which has rapidly deteriorated her health.

"Some days I can barely walk."

Dawn Hanna

What happened?
Between 2002 and 2003, Dawn brokered 10-year-old used telecommunications equipment for sale to Turkey, a legal operation, through a UK-based contact. Her brokering contact, Emad Al-Yawer, had always maintained that the equipment was destined for Turkey, not Iraq.

"What people don't realize is that in the brokering industry, rarely does the broker know the final destination of a product."

Tim Formaz, HRSG International, Inc. (works in brokering)

What was Dawn accused of?
Dawn was accused of conspiring with Emad Al-Yawer, a man of Iraqi origin who lives in the United Kingdom. Unbeknownst to her and the jury, Emad was actually a CIA operative, participating in a secret U.S. government-sponsored operation involving Iraq. So Dawn was helping the U.S. government accomplish an important undercover mission.

"The goods were NOT used for military or anything AGAINST the USA, rather to assist in the events. The deal was most important for those who opposed Saddam, as we could listen to all of the top personnel and even Saddam and his family."

Emad Al-Yawer in letter to Judge Marianne O. Battani

What happened after the trial?
After Dawn's trial, two CIA operatives came forward, in sworn affidavits, to present information that exonerates Dawn and also indicate how the efforts of intelligence agencies during the Iraq war compromised Dawn and other loyal American citizens. In Dawn's case, the equipment she was told to find and deliver to Turkey was in fact to be diverted to Iraq by CIA operatives without Dawn knowing.

"I spoke to Dawn Hanna's attorney before the trial. I did not tell him about any CIA involvement because I believed the information was secret and was concerned for my safety if I admitted it publicly. Even now I am putting myself, my family and many other lives in jeopardy."

Emad Al-Yawer in his affidavit

What does Dawn and her family want now?
Since there was clearly a "Brady Violation", Dawn and her family want the court to correct the injustice.

A Brady violation occurs where the failure to disclose evidence to the defense deprives the defendant of a fair trial.

USLegal.com

What have they done in the past year to do just that?
They have a large group of volunteers (friends, family, co-workers) who are willing to do any task or assignment related to Dawn's cause.  They have conference calls every Monday evening at 7pm using a call in code.

The family has made every effort to make Dawn's plight known to government officials and even teamed up with Ron Scott, who works closely with Congressman John Conyers office, to help in this process. Ron Scott and Dawn's brother, Darrin, have gone to Washington and sat with politicians to discuss Dawn's case.

"For over a decade, the United States Government has taken ten years of my life - almost all of my 30's - and is still trying to beat me down."

Dawn Hanna

What could happen to Dawn?

1. The court's decision could be reverted.
2. She could be released during her upcoming appeal
3. She may be let out early on good behavior
4. She may have to complete her 6 year sentence, which means by the time she gets out she will be 42 years old and maybe unable to start a family.

"I'm scared of our government, of not receiving justice."

Dawn Hanna

Read a family letter sent to President Obama
Read a letter regarding Prosecutor Barbara McQuade

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