MT. AIRY MAN CONVICTED OF ALLOWING A CHILD ACCESS TO LOADED FIREARMS

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announces today that Amir H. Tabassi, of Mt.Airy, Maryland was convicted by a Carroll County jury of one count of reckless endangerment and eleven counts of allowing a child access to loaded firearms.

Testimony by Corporal Frank Lopez, the lead investigator, and other members of the Maryland State Police Firearms Enforcement Section revealed that when they executed a search and seizure warrant at Mr. Tabassi's home they found a 12 year old girl sleeping in his bed next to two loaded handguns which were positioned within inches of her. Also next to the bed were three loaded machine guns. In all there were ten loaded firearms located inside the room with the child. Another loaded machine gun was in another bedroom across the hall from where the child was sleeping.

The defendant faces a possible maximum prison sentence of five years and fines totaling $16,000.00.
Judge Vincent J. Femia did not set a sentencing date because of other pending matters. At this time the child is not living with Mr.Tabassi.

The case was prosecuted by attorneys from the Firearms Trafficking Unit of the Attorney General's office with the assistance of the Maryland State Police. The Firearms Trafficking Unit is funded by a grant from the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention.

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