Adam al-Herz is an American citizen and convicted arms smuggler suspected of providing weapons to Hezbollah.Trish Mehaffey, “Family members sentenced in gun smuggling,” The Gazette (Cedar Rapids), October 14, 2016, http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/public-safety/cedar-rapids-man-sentenced-for-helping-smuggle-guns-to-lebanon-20161014. In March 2016, Herz pled guilty to firearms conspiracy, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and violation of the Arms Export Control Act.“Three Plead Guilty In Connection With Scheme To Unlawfully Ship Firearms to Lebanon,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Iowa, March 11, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/three-plead-guilty-connection-scheme-unlawfully-ship-firearms-lebanon. He was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in July 2016 for attempting to illegally ship firearms and ammunition to Beirut, Lebanon.“Four Persons Charged with Conspiracy to Unlawfully Ship Arms to Lebanon,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Iowa, May 12, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/omaha/news/press-releases/four-persons-charged-with-conspiracy-to-unlawfully-ship-firearms-to-lebanon.
In May 2015, Herz was arrested alongside two family members, his father Ali Afif al-Herz, and his aunt, Sarah Majid Zeaiter. In court testimony, U.S. Assistant Attorney Richard Murphy accused Ali Afif al-Herz of being a Hezbollah sympathizer.Grant Rodgers, “Gun smuggling suspect had ties to Hezbollah, agent says,” Des Moines Register, May 16, 2015, http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2015/05/15/suspected-gun-smugglers-lebanon/27370071/. Herz’s uncle, Bassem Afif Herz, was also later arrested. All four pled guilty to firearms offences. All are U.S. citizens apart from Zeaiter, who is a U.S. permanent resident.Grant Rodgers, “Cedar Rapids family accused of smuggling guns to Lebanon,” Des Moines Register, May 13, 2015, http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2015/05/12/cedar-rapids-family-linked-lebanese-gun-shipments/27180565/.
The four individuals legally acquired approximately 252 firearms from gun stores and gun shows in eastern Ohio over a span of 17 months.Trish Mehaffey, “Family members sentenced in gun smuggling,” The Gazette (Cedar Rapids), October 14, 2016, http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/public-safety/cedar-rapids-man-sentenced-for-helping-smuggle-guns-to-lebanon-20161014. Between about August 2014 to May 2015, the family sent at least three shipping containers—containing firearms concealed inside Bobcat-labeled containers—from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with the intended destination of Beirut, Lebanon. After apparently successfully sending the first container to Beirut, the second and third containers were intercepted by U.S. authorities.Trish Mehaffey, “Family members sentenced in gun smuggling,” The Gazette (Cedar Rapids), October 14, 2016, http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/public-safety/cedar-rapids-man-sentenced-for-helping-smuggle-guns-to-lebanon-20161014.
Herz’s aunt, Sarah Zeaiter, received seven years for her part in the smuggling scheme. Bassem Afif Herz and Ali Afif al-Herz await sentencing.Trish Mehaffey, “Family members sentenced in gun smuggling,” The Gazette (Cedar Rapids), October 14, 2016, http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/public-safety/cedar-rapids-man-sentenced-for-helping-smuggle-guns-to-lebanon-20161014.
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- Adam Ben Ali Al Herz“Four Persons Charged with Conspiracy to Unlawfully Ship Arms to Lebanon,” U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Iowa, May 12, 2015, https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/omaha/news/press-releases/four-persons-charged-with-conspiracy-to-unlawfully-ship-firearms-to-lebanon.