4 Charged In Operation That Claimed Life Of MD Navy SEAL

RICHMOND, VA — Four foreign nationals were arrested and charged Thursday, several weeks after Navy Special Warfare Operator First Class Christopher Chambers, a Maryland native, died in a raid off the coast of Somalia.

The criminal complaint unsealed in U.S. District Court in Richmond claims the four defendants — who were carrying Pakistani identification cards — were transporting suspected Iranian-made missile components for the type of weapons used by Houthi rebel forces in recent attacks.

"The flow of missiles and other advanced weaponry from Iran to Houthi rebel forces in Yemen threatens the people and interests of America and our partners in the region," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a news release.

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Chambers, 37, who grew up in Prince George's County, was boarding an unflagged ship on Jan. 11 when he slipped into a gap created by the high waves between the vessel and the SEALs’ craft. As Chambers fell, Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram jumped in to try to save him, according to U.S. officials.

Efforts to find and rescue both men were unsuccessful.

During a search of the dhow, the U.S. boarding team found 14 mariners and located what prosecutors called Iranian-made weapons, including components for ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles.

The mariners on the dhow were brought onto the USS Lewis B. Puller after Navy forces determined the vessel was not seaworthy. They were brought back to Virginia, prosecutors said, where criminal charges were filed against four and material witness warrants were filed against the other 10.

According to court documents, Muhammad Pahlawan is charged with attempting to smuggle advanced missile components and providing false information to U.S. Coast Guard officers during the boarding of the vessel.

Co-defendants Mohammad Mazhar, Ghufran Ullah and Izhar Muhammad were also charged with providing false information, prosecutors said.

Chambers grew up near Cheverly, where he coached other kids at the Cheverly Swim and Racquet Club.

Chambers is survived by a wife and a baby girl, according to a photo shared on the foundation's website. The Navy SEAL Foundation has been accepting donations to assist the Chambers family.

“Maryland and the nation have lost a hero. Special Operator First Class Christopher J. Chambers wasn't just a distinguished Navy SEAL, he was a true patriot in every beautiful sense of the word," Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. "He put his life on the line for our safety and security, and we will never forget his ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. My heart breaks for the friends and family of Special Operator Chambers, as well as all who served alongside him."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.