HOUSTON, TX – Hassan Al Gharawi, 54, of Sugar Land, Texas, is facing a lengthy prison sentence after a federal jury found him guilty of conspiracy to violate gun export laws. The verdict, reached after a three-day trial, exposes a chilling plot to funnel weapons across international lines, directly to Iraq. The case, delayed in publication due to a previous government shutdown, is now seeing the light of day, revealing a network of deceit and illegal activity.
According to evidence presented in court, Gharawi, an Iraqi national, conspired with others from approximately November 2020 to June 2021 to stockpile, conceal, and transport firearms disguised within vehicle parts destined for Iraq. The scheme involved amassing a significant arsenal. Authorities discovered Gharawi received two separate deliveries in 2020 and 2021, totaling approximately 77 firearms, all hoarded within his own home.
The net tightened on June 10, 2021, when authorities observed Gharawi loading firearms into his vehicle and transporting them to a storage facility. The evidence presented to the jury was damning: over 500 firearms were documented in photographs, and recordings revealed Gharawi actively discussing the details of the trafficking plan. The sheer volume of weapons paints a grim picture of the intended impact in Iraq.
Gharawi’s defense team attempted to argue duress, claiming he was coerced into participating by traffickers in Iraq. However, the jury wasn’t buying it. They saw through the defense’s claims, recognizing the extent of Gharawi’s involvement in the conspiracy. The evidence clearly demonstrated his willing participation, leading to a guilty verdict on the single count of conspiracy to violate export control laws.
U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen presided over the trial and has scheduled sentencing for January 21, 2026. Gharawi now faces up to 20 years behind bars for violating export laws, along with a potential $1 million fine. Previously released on bond, Gharawi was immediately taken into custody following the conviction and will remain detained pending his sentencing.
The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI, with crucial assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Pearson, Steven Schammel, and Heather Winter are prosecuting the case, ensuring that those who seek to arm instability abroad face the full force of the law. This conviction sends a clear message: facilitating the illegal flow of firearms will not be tolerated.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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