Man from Saudi Arabia sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition

ALBUQERQUE, N.M. – Hassan Alqahtani, 29, of Saudi Arabia, was sentenced in federal court on Jan. 6 to two years and six months in prison for being an alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. A jury convicted Alqahtani on May 14, 2021.

According to a criminal complaint and other court records, on Aug. 8, 2019, the FBI received a tip about Alqahtani, a citizen of Saudi Arabia, illegally possessing a firearm and making threats. On Dec. 12, 2019, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Alqahtani’s residence and discovered a loaded firearm and ammunition. As an international student on a F1 student visa, Alqahani cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.  

Upon his release from prison, Alqahtani may be subject to deportation by the Department of Homeland Security, and will be subject to two years of supervised release.

The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack Burkhead and Paul Mysliwiec prosecuted the case.