BEAUMONT, Texas — A 26-year-old New York man was indicted after police said he was caught with a gun and ammo near a Beaumont school.
On January 29, 2023, Beaumont Police received multiple calls about a suspicious vehicle around St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica School and Temple Emanuel. The callers said a man in a black Toyota Rav 4 with New York license plates was parked across the street and staying there for hours and even days at a time.
The driver of the vehicle was later identified as Ahmed Abdalla Allam, 26, according to a probable cause affidavit. When asked to move, Allam would refuse and became confrontational at times.
Allam was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Feb. 1, 2023, charging him with possession of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school zone.
Allam appeared in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn Wednesday and was ordered to be held pending a detention hearing, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.
When taken into custody, Allam was in possession of a multi-caliber rifle, a 30-round magazine and 150 rounds of ammunition.
“The community of St. Anthony’s, including parents, teachers, and administrator, are to be commended for remaining vigilant and reporting their suspicions,” said Featherston. “If you see something suspicious, say something. You may save a life.”
If convicted, Allam faces up to 5 years in federal prison..
Police initially stopped Allam because the Toyota's back license plate was partially obscured by a plastic frame, which is a violation of the Texas Transportation Code.
Allam held his driver's license up to the window but refused to open his window, according the affidavit. The officer called for backup because Allam refused to roll down the window despite being asked multiple times to do so.
When more officers arrived, they asked Allam to get out of the Toyota and Allam initially refused. After being told he was under arrest for the traffic violation, Allam got out of the SUV.
While searching the SUV, police found what they described as an "AR-15 type rifle" on the back passenger floorboard, according to the affidavit. The rifle is described as a, Diamondback Firearms, 5.56mm caliber rifle.
Officers also found a box of 5.56mm ammunition next to the rifle and a fully-loaded 30-round magazine, two additional boxes of 5.56mm rifle ammunition, and approximately .8 ounces of synthetic marijuana in a backpack.
Allam was taken to the Jefferson County Jail and charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving with a fictitious plate.
Police want to assure the community that Allam poses no threat to the Southeast Texas community at this time.
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