Detention hearing set for three accused of smuggling guns to Lebanon

CEDAR RAPIDS - Three of the four defendants charged with conspiring to smuggle guns and ammunitions from Iowa to Lebanon will ask a federal magistrate Friday to release them pending trial.

Ali Herz, 50, his son Adam Herz, 22, and Sarah Zeaiter, 24, all of Cedar Rapids, will appear for a detention hearing 9 a.m. Friday in U.S. District Court. Bassem Herz, 29, brother to Ali and Zeaiter's husband, also charged in the conspiracy, didn't ask for hearing and will remain in jail pending trial.

U.S. Magistrate Jon Scoles ordered temporary detention for all four defendants Tuesday.

The defendants are charged with conspiracy and delivering a package to a carrier without notice that it contained firearms and ammunition.

According to a criminal complaint, the four family members legally obtained weapons and ammunition from dealers in Eastern Iowa, purchasing 113 firearms over the last 17 months. But then they conspired to conceal them in shipments.

Authorities seized one shipment bound for Beirut in Norfolk, Va., in March, according to the complaint. The shipment searched contained 53 firearms, parts and more than 6,800 rounds of ammunition hidden in skid loaders. Many of the weapons had been placed in bags similar to the ones used at Pizza Daddy, according to court documents.

Another intercepted container contained 99 guns, more than 9,500 rounds of ammunition and gun parts and accessories, records show.

Authorities haven't disclosed who they believe was the intended recipient of the weapons.

The guns and accessories were found concealed among items for a clothing drive for Syria and Lebanon organized earlier this year by Midamar Corp., a Halal foods distributor in Cedar Rapids, according to court documents.

An attorney for Midamar said Tuesday company officials had no knowledge of the firearms.

Authorities raided Midamar, 1105 60th Ave. SW, and Pizza Daddy, 1539 First Ave. SE, early on Tuesday. None of the Midamar employees were arrested.

The firearms and other parts were contained in plastic bags, similar to those used by the pizza restaurant. Ali Herz is the brother of the Pizza Daddy owner.