McKinney Woman Pleads Guilty to Fraudulent Security Clearances

SHERMAN, Texas – A 39-year-old McKinney woman has pleaded guilty to federal violations related to her fraudulent use of security clearances and altered military documents while embedded with U.S. military units in Afghanistan.

Farida Yusufi, an American citizen of Afghan descent, admitted to eight out of nine counts against her, including making false statements, altering official passes, and theft of government records. She has been in federal custody since her arrest in August 2013 by the FBI’s North Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

According to court documents, Yusufi, who was granted a Secret security clearance but had it suspended in 2009, falsely claimed to have a Top Secret clearance “in process” during an interview with federal agents in Afghanistan. She also misled investigators by saying she had never been fired from a job while working overseas for the U.S. military – a lie.

In March 2012, Yusufi made false statements to FBI agents about her security clearance application and employment history, attempting to mislead authorities about her true activities. She also applied for a government contractor position after returning from Afghanistan, despite claiming she hadn’t done so in interviews.

On January 18, 2010, Yusufi altered an official military pass issued to her former spouse, which allowed access to military bases and transportation. On March 13, 2013, FBI agents discovered sensitive U.S. military records on her computer that she was not authorized to possess.

Yusufi faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for each false statement and altering a military pass count, as well as 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the theft of government records charge.