Trial reset for Cedar Rapids family members accused of smuggling guns to Lebanon

CEDAR RAPIDS - The trial for four family members charged in a conspiracy to smuggle guns to Lebanon is tentatively reset to April 2016.

Attorneys for the four defendants told U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade on Thursday that the spring was a more realistic date than Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Murphy suggested in November. The trial was previously set for Aug. 10.

At least, two of the attorneys mentioned the possibility of plea agreements, so a trial date may not be an issue, but they would need additional time to prepare for sentencings.

Murphy argued the case wasn't complicated, and even though there would be superseding indictments – more charges - next month, the defense attorneys would have three months to prepare for a November trial.

Ali Al Herz, 50, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with 23 counts of being a domestic abuser in possession of a firearm and one count each of firearm conspiracy and money laundering. His son Adam Al Herz, 22, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with 16 counts of unlawful drug user in possession of a firearm and one count each of firearms conspiracy and money laundering.

Bassem Al Herz, 30, Ali Al Herz's brother, is charged with one count each of firearms conspiracy and money laundering. And Bassem's wife, Sarah Zeaiter, 24, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with three counts of false claim to U.S. citizenship on bank records and federal firearms forms and one count each of firearms conspiracy and money laundering.

They are accused, starting in late 2013 and continuing through May 12, of conspiring to deal firearms without a license, ship and transport firearms to Lebanon in containers without providing written notice that firearms and ammunition were in the packages, and making false statements to licensed firearms dealers for transaction records required by law, according to the indictment.

Murphy said during the hearing there would be superseding indictments that would go to a grand jury by the second week in August, but the charges would pertain to shipments of guns, which shouldn't make the case more complicated.

'There are two defendants who have given full confessions,” Murphy said. 'I think there may be strong incentive for a resolution (pleas).”

Alfredo Parrish, Bassem Al Herz's attorney, talked about the possibility for plea agreements, but said he was still concerned about sentencing enhancements regarding the number of guns and noted he would need additional time to prepare.

Reade had some other trials after November and into next year, so she suggested April 4 and asked the attorneys to let her know within a week if they had any conflicts with that date.

l Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com