Qusay Waleed Taha, Unlicensed Firearms Dealing, Texas 2024

A Houston man has been caught red-handed in a massive firearms trafficking scheme, leaving law enforcement and community leaders breathing a sigh of relief. Qusay Waleed Taha, a 38-year-old Houston resident, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully dealing firearms without a license, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.

Taha’s illicit operation involved purchasing more than 100 firearms between July 11, 2018, and Aug. 19, 2019, with the sole intention of reselling them for profit. The brazen scheme saw Taha repeatedly buying firearms through licensed dealers and selling them to local individuals at gun shows, all while evading proper licensing and regulations.

The investigation, conducted by the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, uncovered a web of deceit and corruption that has left many in the community shaken. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Schammel and Heather Winter are prosecuting the case, which is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program.

PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Taha’s guilty plea comes as a significant blow to the illicit firearms trade, which has long plagued the city of Houston. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of engaging in such activities, including the risk of lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines.

U.S. District Judge George C. Hanks Jr. will impose sentencing on Aug. 11, at which time Taha faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine. Taha has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing, a decision that is sure to be welcomed by law enforcement officials and community leaders alike.

The investigation and subsequent prosecution of Taha’s case is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies working together to keep the community safe. As the city of Houston continues to grapple with the issues surrounding firearms trafficking, this case serves as a much-needed reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.

With Taha’s guilty plea, the people of Houston can rest a little easier knowing that justice is being served. However, this case also serves as a stark reminder that the fight against firearms trafficking is far from over, and continued vigilance is necessary to prevent such crimes from occurring in the future.

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