The U.S. Justice Department has filed a criminal complaint against John Allen Muhammad in connection with the Washington-area sniper spree that killed 10 people.
Muhammad was charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S.District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland, with using a weapon tocommit murder, affecting interstate commerce by extortion andother charges, seven of which carry the death penalty, aJustice Department official said today.
The criminal complaint named seven of the 10 peoplekilled during the October sniper spree that terrified the area,wrecked school schedules and dampened retail sales.
The criminal complaint did not name John Lee Malvo,Muhammad's 17-year-old traveling companion, who was arrestedwith the Gulf War veteran last week. An affidavit accompanyingthe charges referred to him as "John Doe, Juvenile."
Federal officials said more charges could be filed later,in connection with the other three deaths. They also said thefiling of charges did not mean the case would be taken over bythe federal authorities.
Muhammad and Malvo were previously charged with six murdercounts each in Maryland, where six of the deaths occurred.Muhammad was also charged with murder in Virginia, and bothsuspects face attempted murder and terrorism charges there.
Muhammad was also charged with murder in a Georgia killingthat occurred just prior to the Oct. 2 start of the Washingtonrampage.