06/04/2026
PRESS RELEASE
On May 18th, 2026, The Parker County Sheriff’s Office Special Crimes Unit (SCU) with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S Bureau of Alcohol, To***co, and Fi****ms initiated an investigation from a tip regarding individuals from Parker County purchasing bulk fi****ms from an independent federal fi****ms license (FFL) holder. Sheriff Russ Authier stated that protecting the second amendment rights for legal gun owners will always remain a top priority of the Sheriff’s Office; however, in this instance, we deemed the information we received warranted prompt action from law enforcement.
Sergeant Shane Cartwright, Public Information Officer for the Parker County Sheriff’s Office explained that two (2) Parker County men worked together to purchase eleven (11) G***k pistols from an independent FFL fi****ms dealer located over 100 miles away. Yazan Wesley Adel, a Syrian born, naturalized US citizen, arranged for the purchase of the G***k pistols. Investigators learned that Adel had previously pled guilty to two (2) felony, and one (1) misdemeanor drug charge in Erath County and was sentenced to five (5) years’ probation on May 5th, 2023, therefore making it a criminal offense for Adel to purchase fi****ms while on felony probation. To elude law-enforcement, Adel enlisted the help of a long-time friend to complete all the FFL paperwork, accompany him to meet with the FFL dealer, and to facilitate the transfer of the eleven G***ks to his possession.
On May 28th, 2026, Investigators executed a search warrant at Adel’s residence in Weatherford and seized nearly $5,000.00 in U.S currency, an MP5 rifle, two (2) AR-15 style rifles, a .45 caliber semi-auto pistol, and two (2) 9mm pistols, miscellaneous gun parts, and fraudulent documents relating to the purchase of fi****ms. Investigators have recovered three (3) of the eleven (11) G***k pistols, thus far, and are actively looking for the remaining eight 8 G***ks.
Adel was arrested for the offense of Fi****ms Smuggling - Three (3) or More Fi****ms, a second-degree felony, and placed into the Parker County Jail with bonds totaling $ 100,000.00 dollars.