In this episode, retired agent Eric Robinson reviews a case where Yahya Farooq Mohammad provided thousands of dollars to a terrorist organization to support violent jihad. After he was arrested, the subject solicited the murder of the federal judge presiding over his case. Eric led the undercover operation where an agent posed as a “hitman” to record the plot to kill the judge. Mohammad was sentenced to 27 ½ years in prison for one count of conspiracy to provide and conceal material support or resources to terrorists and one count of solicitation to commit a crime of violence. Eric received the U. S. Attorney General’s Award for his work on this matter.
This case in one of the many investigations Eric worked during his Bureau career, recounted in his soon-to-be-released memoir, Irreverend – From Saving Souls to Chasing Sinners in the FBI. The book covers his 11 years in ministry, developing the interpersonal, mentoring, and public/motivational speaking skills that he then used in his law enforcement career. To learn more, visit preachertobreacher.com.
“She went to her attorney and said, “I just had a man that I paid $1,000, said he was doing work for my husband, and he showed me a picture of a guy who I recognize as this judge with a hole in his head.” And their attorney was also smart, and so he did the next great thing for her case. He reported this to the Chicago office of the FBI.”—Retired Agent Eric Robinson
Special Agent (Retired)
Eric Robinson
4/7/2002 – 1/19/2026
Eric Robinson served in the FBI for over 23 years. He began his Bureau career in the Chicago Field Office, where he investigated major narcotics and gang enterprises, as well as public corruption and civil rights violations.
Later, he served in the Cleveland Division’s Toledo Resident Agency, where he led and supported investigations into organized crime, crimes against children, white-collar schemes, national security matters, and human intelligence operations (HUMINT). A 15-year SWAT operator, Eric also served as a firearms, defensive tactics, and fitness instructor, mentoring agents and task force officers and helping shape field readiness across high-risk operations.
Before joining the FBI, Eric spent a dozen years in Christian ministry as a Baptist pastor in Western New York. That pastoral foundation—centered on service, integrity, and accountability—has informed his decision-making process throughout his law enforcement career.
The following are links to news articles and case-related images for the undercover operation involving the solicitation of murder of a federal judge investigation:
Counter-extremism Project – Yahya Farooq Mohammad
Listen to the following FBI Case File Review episodes about murder-for-hire schemes:
328: Tom Blades and Jim Weber – Undercover Bikers, Murder-For-Hire
232: Scott Garriola – Chippendales, Murder-For-Hire
194: Tim Gannon and Bob Burda – Bank Robbery, Fort Bragg Murder-for-Hire
180: Michael E. Anderson – Passport Fraud, Investment Fraud, Murder-for-Hire
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