Case against filmmaker proceeds with caution

The federal probation violation investigation targeting the man behind the anti-Muslim video inflaming the Middle East is proceeding slowly and privately, reflecting the explosiveness of the case.

Federal officials have said nothing publicly about the case, and neither has Nakoula Basseley Nakoula’s attorney.

Nakoula has put his home up for sale and gone into hiding since violence erupted over the 14-minute YouTube trailer for Innocence of Muslims.

Enraged Muslims have demanded punishment for Nakoula, and dozens have died in violent protests linked to the movie.

Meantime, First Amendment advocates have defended Nakoula’s right to make the film even while condemning its content.

President Barack Obama echoed those sentiments Tuesday in a speech at the United Nations.

Against that backdrop, federal officials are looking into whether Nakoula, 55, violated probation for a 2010 cheque fraud conviction by uploading the trailer to YouTube.

Nakoula was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered not to use computers or the Internet for five years without approval from his probation officer.

If he’s found in violation, he could be returned to prison.

If not, he’ll remain free.