Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Haider Ali, 36, were taken into custody Wednesday.
Prosecutors said they interviewed a former U.S. Marine, who the pair attempted to recruit on the basis of their false DHS credentials. The unnamed witness alleged he observed illegal weapons in Taherzadeh and Ali's presence, including an AR-15/M4 variant automatic rifle with an illegal suppressor and an AR pistol.
Neither of the men had a license to carry a firearm outside of their homes, the filing said. Law enforcement officials also recovered illegal high-capacity magazines. After Taherzadeh was informed of the government's investigation, prosecutors say that he and/or Ali tried to conceal evidence by shipping items out of their apartment complex. Law enforcement officials found UPS labels and shipping materials while carrying out their search,"which raised concern that evidence was being secreted from the premises.
"This is consistent with the prior pattern and practice of providing federal law enforcement agents with gifts and items of value, and suggests that Taherzadeh and/or Ali shipped the package to the USSS Uniformed Division Officer in an attempt to corruptly enlist him in secreting evidence," the filing said." Secret Service personnel assigned to protect first lady Jill Biden and the White House by"lavishing" them with gifts that included rent-free apartments.
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