PARKER COUNTY, Texas - A Parker County man has been arrested on a firearms smuggling charge after investigators uncovered an alleged scheme to purchase multiple handguns through another individual, according to the Parker County Sheriff's Office.
The investigation began on May 18, 2026, when the Parker County Sheriff's Office Special Crimes Unit, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, received a tip regarding individuals from Parker County purchasing firearms in bulk from an independent federal firearms license holder.
Sheriff Russ Authier said the agency takes reports involving illegal firearm purchases seriously while continuing to support the rights of lawful gun owners.
"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," Authier said.
According to investigators, 25-year-old Yazan Wesley Adel, a Syrian-born naturalized U.S. citizen, allegedly arranged for the purchase of 11 Glock pistols from a federally licensed firearms dealer located more than 100 miles from Parker County.
Authorities said Adel had previously pleaded guilty in Erath County to two felony drug charges and one misdemeanor drug charge. Court records show he was sentenced to five years of probation on May 5, 2023.
Because Adel was on felony probation, investigators said he was prohibited from purchasing firearms.
Detectives allege Adel enlisted the help of a longtime friend to complete the required federal firearms paperwork, accompany him to meet with the firearms dealer, and facilitate the transfer of the pistols into his possession.
On May 28, investigators executed a search warrant at Adel's residence in Weatherford at the 600 block of High View Dr.
During the search, authorities seized nearly $5,000 in cash, an MP5-style rifle, two AR-15-style rifles, a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol, two 9mm pistols, miscellaneous firearm parts, and documents investigators described as fraudulent records related to firearm purchases.
Investigators said they have recovered three of the 11 Glock pistols allegedly involved in the case and continue searching for the remaining eight firearms.
Adel was arrested and charged with Firearms Smuggling – Three or More Firearms, a second-degree felony under Texas law.
He was booked into the Parker County Jail, where bond was set at a total of $100,000.
The investigation remains ongoing.
