Anti-Muslim filmmaker jailed, reveals real name

Last Updated 2:41 p.m. ET

LOS ANGELES The mystery surrounding the man behind the crudely produced anti-Islamic video that sparked violence in the Middle East deepened when he appeared in court and identified himself by yet another name.

Arrested on Thursday in Los Angeles after authorities said he violated his probation from a 2010 check fraud conviction, Nakoula Basseley Nakoula told a judge his real name was Mark Basseley Youssef. He said he had been using that name since 2002, even though he went by Nakoula in his fraud case.

Court documents filed in Orange County Superior Court show he was granted a name change petition in 2002 and legally changed his name to Mark Basseley Youssef because "Nakoula is a girl's name and it cause me troubles."

On Friday, federal prosecutors said court documents will now reflect Youssef's real name. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Dugdale said Youssef didn't give that name when he was charged two years ago. Also, he had a driver's license under Nakoula, authorities said.

"He did not provide his true legal name at the time of prosecution," Dugdale said.

The full story about Youssef and the video "Innocence of Muslims" still isn't known more than two weeks after violence erupted in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world where at least 50 people have died in protests related to the film.

Citing a lengthy pattern of deception and the potential to flee, U.S. Central District Chief Magistrate Judge Suzanne Segal ordered Youssef to remain in prison without bond until another judge can hold a hearing to determine if he broke the terms of his probation.

"The court has a lack of trust in this defendant at this time," Segal said.

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Prosecutors noted Youssef had eight probation violations, including lying to his probation officers and using aliases. He could face new charges that carry a maximum two-year prison term.

After his 2010 conviction, Youssef was sentenced to 21 months in prison and was barred from using computers or the Internet for five years without approval from his probation officer, though prosecutors said none of the violations involved the Internet. He also wasn't supposed to use any name other than his true legal name without the prior written approval of his probation officer.

Three names, however, have been associated with Youssef this month alone.

The movie was made last year by a man who called himself Sam Bacile. After the violence erupted, a man who identified himself as Bacile spoke to media outlets including The Associated Press, took credit for the film and said it was meant to portray the truth about Muhammad and Islam, which he called a cancer.

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[bobbychuckles]

Nice to see that the US is enforcing sharia law by imprisoning those who insult the prophet. Not!

[TPmindset]

Everybody is getting upset at this man for making fun of the muslim and ali, yet not one person in our government gives a crap about them burning the American Flag. I totlally understand about retaliating against someone who has offended you. So if I see anyone of them burning the flag in fornt of me , well then they will meet ali and I will answer to GOD and will ask Him for forgiveness!!

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

No one gives a crap about them burning the flag?

Source, please.

[trtkmdcsidcslkpk]

So much for freedom of expression. Let's just go ahead and ditch the rest of the bill of rights while we're at it.

[ozwizard111]

How about a huge, monstrous reward instead.

[raviandsonia]

This guy does not deserve any anonymity. Why are the authorities helping him hide his face. He had the audacity to make the movie. Now he should not get any assistance hiding his face. Let the whole world see the face if the racist bigot !!

[trtkmdcsidcslkpk]

Spoken like a true Islamonazi thug. What? You wanna look him up to behead him? If anything he pulled his punches. Best get used to it. MOST of the world is smart enough to figure out your pseudo prophet.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

GOODOLEBOY671
I haven't learned a thing

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I doubt you're capable.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Nope. But I only present verifiable facts.

So - what's YOUR source, other than your own opinions?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

I mean specifically, Sam.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

GOODOLEBOY671
Is this the same Chiroc that stabbed the US in the back when we were counting on them in the UN security council?

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Probably, since GWB was rambling on about the Apocalypse. Any wise president who heard that tripe would have removed his country's support.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Again, you dismiss whatever you haven't personally seen, rather than doing any research at all.

I can't help it if you are too lazy or uninterested to do any research.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

ping! Come on, CBS. You changed the format, yet neglected to fix the posting system?

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

GOODOLEBOY671 replies: linkiconreporticonemailiconI thought Saddam was removed from power because of his repeated non-compliance with UN resolutions!

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Not really - it was Christian religious extremism.

GWB told President Chirac that Iraq should be invaded because the "time of Gog and Magog is here".

That refers to the Book of Revelation, and the Apocalypse, or "End Times". The man is seriously insane.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Who cares? It's the truth.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Well, you're wrong.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

BINR replies

I agree, ballwyllo, the probation violations were just an excuse. Whatever happened to free speech?

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The Patriot Act. The one GWB got passed, and the one Obama stupidly continues.