Henry Williams, Gun Sale, Texas 2022

DALLAS, TX – A Texas man is headed to federal prison for nearly eight years after admitting he illegally sold the pistol used by Malik Faisal Akram during the terrifying hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville earlier this year. Henry “Michael” Dwight Williams, 33, was sentenced to 95 months in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge David Godbey after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The case, brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, reveals Williams, despite a prior conviction for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and attempted possession of a controlled substance, sold Akram a semiautomatic Taurus G2C pistol on January 13th. The same weapon was recovered from the synagogue on January 15th, after Akram held four individuals hostage for hours before being fatally shot by federal law enforcement. Williams’ prior felony convictions should have prevented him from owning *any* firearm, let alone peddling them.

“This defendant, a convicted felon, had no business carrying – much less buying and selling – firearms,” stated U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham. “Whether he suspected his buyer would use the gun to menace a community of faith is legally irrelevant: In the U.S., convicted felons cannot possess firearms.” Meacham stressed the Justice Department’s commitment to prosecuting those who violate federal firearm laws, emphasizing the need to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous offenders.

The FBI’s investigation quickly zeroed in on Williams after the hostage situation unfolded. Cellphone records revealed a series of calls between Williams and Akram between January 11th and 13th. Initial interviews with Williams proved deceptive. He admitted to meeting a man with a British accent (Akram was a British citizen) but claimed he couldn’t recall the man’s name. It wasn’t until after his arrest on an outstanding state warrant, and after viewing a photograph of Akram, that Williams confessed to selling the handgun at a South Dallas intersection.

“Tireless days of nonstop investigation revealed the connection of Mr. Akram to Mr. Williams,” said Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno. “We are grateful to the many law enforcement agencies and personnel that traced the weapon’s nefarious source.” DeSarno also acknowledged the bravery of the hostages and pledged continued support for Congregation Beth Israel and the Jewish community as they heal from the ordeal. The investigation involved a multi-agency effort from the Dallas Police Department, ATF’s Dallas Field Division, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Colleyville Police Department.

While Williams’ sentence offers a measure of justice, it doesn’t undo the terror inflicted on the Colleyville community. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Magliolo, Errin Martin, Jay Weimer, Alex Lewis, Nicole Dana, P.J. Meitl, and Lindsey Beran, along with Trial Attorneys David Smith and Michael Dittoe of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, secured the conviction. The question remains: how did a convicted felon obtain a firearm in the first place, and what systemic failures allowed this dangerous transaction to occur?

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