Robertson, whose popularity as an internet imam has soared in the last two years, has a criminal history that stretches back to 1991, when he was the “Ali Baba” in a gang of Muslim bank robbers in Brooklyn, NY called “The Forty Thieves.” The gang robbed more than 15 banks, post offices, private residences, and also shot police officers and private citizens during the course of the crime spree, which lasted close to a year. At that time, Robertson became a witness for the government in its prosecution of the other members of the Forty Thieves. Robertson walked out of prison after serving a four-year sentence.

Today, Robertson claims to his supporters that he spent nine years in the Marine Corps, serving in various special operations units, and he claims to have spent ten years overseas studying Islam and Arabic. His stories about his life experiences have contributed to his credibility with audiences as a religious authority. However, as this report describes, many of his claims are implausible or are demonstrably false.