Felon Caught with Loaded Firearm in Las Vegas
A Las Vegas felon has been found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Dayle Elieson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jill A. Snyder for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Omar Qazi, 30, was convicted of one count of felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon presided over the jury trial and scheduled sentencing for November 15, 2018. Qazi faces the maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to court documents, Qazi was stopped by a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer for a traffic violation near East Harmon Avenue and Koval Lane. During the search of his vehicle, the officer found a loaded Smith & Wesson .22 caliber revolver in the front center console. Methamphetamine and marijuana were also recovered inside the vehicle.
Evidence introduced at trial also included an audio recorded interview of Qazi where he admitted the firearm was his; and also two jail calls where he admitted to two different individuals that he knew he was a felon and should not have been driving around with a gun. Qazi’s DNA was also recovered from the firearm.
Qazi has a prior felony conviction in Nevada for battery with substantial bodily harm and is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Michael and Patrick Burns prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
This case is a prime example of the need for stricter gun control laws, as Qazi’s conviction should serve as a warning to other felons who think they can get away with possessing a firearm.
For more information about PSN, visit www.justice.gov/usao-nv.
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Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons|Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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