Man receives 14 years in prison for assaulting federal officer in Kent

A 20-year-old Des Moines man received a 14-year prison sentence Monday for assaulting a federal officer in 2017 at a Lowe’s parking lot in Kent during an undercover sting to catch men selling illegal guns.

Abdirashid Haret pleaded guilty in December to assault on a federal officer and person assisting a federal officer, using a firearm in a crime of violence and robbery of funds belonging to the United States. Haret was one of two men who attempted to rob a federal agent working on an illegal firearms investigation in a Oct. 17, 2017 incident.

At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge James L. Robart noted Haret had a “fascination with guns,” that created “a situation that is dangerous to yourself, the people you are with, and the community,” according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release.

“This defendant illegally carried and trafficked firearms, bringing violence to our community,” said U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran. “He was a convicted felon – arrested for assault and carrying a stolen gun – who returned to crime within months of his juvenile conviction. He threatened an undercover law enforcement agent – the very person we trust to do the dangerous work needed to keep us safe. This long prison sentence is warranted to protect our community.”

According to the facts in the plea agreement, Haret and co-defendant Omar Abdullah, 23, of Seattle, had made arrangements to sell two firearms to a man who, unknown to them, was a confidential informant (CI) working with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

The CI and an undercover ATF agent met with Haret and Abdullah in a vehicle in the parking lot of the Kent Lowe’s store, 24050 Pacific Highway S. After the agent and CI got in the car, Haret and Abdullah used the two loaded firearms they brought to the meeting to rob the undercover agent and the CI. The undercover agent told Haret and Abdullah he would get additional money out of his car.

Haret followed the agent out of the car, still armed with a firearm. The undercover agent was able to pull his own gun and fired at Abdullah who still held the CI at gunpoint in the car. Haret dropped his gun and attempted to flee. He was struck and injured running across Pacific Highway South.

Both Abdullah and Haret were taken to hospitals. Abdullah continues to get specialized treatment for his gunshot wounds. ATF investigated the case.