Overview

Adam al-Herz is an American citizen and convicted arms smuggler accused of supplying 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.

On October 13, 2016, Adam al-Herz was sentenced to 240 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.“Third Person Sentenced in Scheme to Smuggle Guns to Lebanon is Ordered to Serve 342 Months in Federal Prison,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Northern District of Iowa, October 31, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/third-person-sentenced-scheme-smuggle-guns-lebanon-ordered-serve-342-months-federal. Herz’s aunt, Sarah Zeaiter, received seven years for her part in the smuggling scheme.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. On October 31, 2016, Herz’s father, Ali Afif al-Herz, was sentenced to 342 months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $150,000 fine.“Third Person Sentenced in Scheme to Smuggle Guns to Lebanon is Ordered to Serve 342 Months in Federal Prison,” U.S. Attorney’s Office – Northern District of Iowa, October 31, 2016, https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia/pr/third-person-sentenced-scheme-smuggle-guns-lebanon-ordered-serve-342-months-federal. On December 12, Herz’s uncle, Bassem Afif Herz, was sentenced to 97 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to forfeit $48,575 of proceeds that stemmed from his criminal activity.

In June 2018, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions of Ali Atif al-Herz, Bassem Afif Herz, and Sarah Zeaiter. Adam al-Herz’s appeal is still pending.Trish Mehaffey, “Federal appeals court upholds three family members' convictions for smuggling guns to Lebanon,” Gazette (Cedar Rapids), June 11, 2018, https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/public-safety/federal-appeals-court-upholds-three-family-members-convictions-for-smuggling-guns-to-lebanon-20180611.

On August 13, 2019, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Industry and Security Bureau denied exporting privileges for Herz and anyone working on his behalf until October 13, 2026.Karen H. Nies-Vogel, “Order Denying Export Privileges,” U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, August 13, 2019, https://efoia.bis.doc.gov/index.php/documents/export-violations/export-violations-2019/1234-e2597/file.