The city of Houston —
The United States Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani stated Thursday that a man who earned a livelihood investigating crimes will now spend time behind bars for his misdeeds.
Ahmed Kassem, also known as Mohammed “Alex,” was handed a 121-month jail term by a Washington DC federal judge.
In February, a jury found Kassem guilty of heroin trafficking and money laundering involving drug cartels while he was an investigator for the Waller County District Attorney’s Office.
“Alex Kassem was a criminal in disguise,” stated Douglas Williams, a special agent in charge of the FBI, following the trial. “He cloaked himself in his trusted position as a licensed peace officer and Waller County DA investigator while working to enrich himself by shamelessly moving money and drugs in his work vehicle and hidden in his police vest.”
Based on FBI findings, Kassem concealed the cash in his bulletproof vest and the synthetic heroin in his evidence bag. From Louisiana to Houston and back again to San Antonio, he was paid a total of $31,000 to transport the fake drugs and money in his marked police car.
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While working undercover for the district attorney’s office, Kassem testified as an individual and asserted his power to initiate the crimes. The man he worked for before accused him of being dishonest.
An official who has pledged to serve the public should receive a punishment that “reflects the serious nature of the crime,” Hamdani stated. Unfortunately, Kassam was eager to cash in on his badge for personal benefit.
A significant message was sent to corrupt law enforcement: you will face prosecution if you misuse your position of trust and go beyond the legal guidelines.
Kassem faced a potential life sentence for trafficking and a 20-year sentence for money laundering.
