Muhammad kidnapped his children and took them to Antigua around 1999 , apparently engaging in credit card and immigration document fraud . It was during this time that he became close with Lee Boyd Malvo , who later acted as his partner in the killings . Williams changed his name to John Allen Muhammad in October 2001 . After his arrest , authorities also claimed that Muhammad admitted that he admired and modeled himself after Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda , and approved of the September 11 attacks . Malvo testified that Muhammad had indoctrinated him into believing that the proceeds of the extortion attempt would be used to establish " a camp in Canada where homeless children would be trained as terrorists . " Muhammad was twice divorced ; his second ex-wife , Mildred Muhammad , sought and was granted a restraining order . Muhammad was arrested on federal charges of violating the restraining order by possessing a weapon . Under federal law , those with restraining orders are prohibited from purchasing or possessing guns , as per the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
John Allen Muhammad