UNM student in gun case will stay in custody

Evidence is strong, suspect is dangerous, judge rules

The Saudi Arabian engineering student facing a federal firearms charge will await trial in custody, a judge ruled Tuesday afternoon.

The judge also found probable cause to support the single count filed against Hassan Alqahtani, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years. Alqahtani is in the United States on a student visa, which means he is not permitted to have a firearm, and federal authorities say a search of Alqahtani’s home turned up a handgun.

A tipster reported to the National Threat Operations Center in August that Alqahtani was creating a “list of people who he wants to kill before he leaves the U.S.” Testimony at the preliminary and detention hearing revealed the list is believed to contain at least three people, including the tipster, who contacted the center the day after

he and Alqahtani got into an altercation at a party.

Judge Laura Fashing said the testimony offered during the hearing showed strong evidence of a violation of firearms law. She pointed to a series of domestic violence allegations against Alqahtani as she said she was finding that he posed a danger and would remain in custody.

As he lobbied for his client’s release, Joel Meyers called the government’s allegations “flamboyant” and argued there was little evidence tying him to the gun found in a home he shares with his wife, who is a U.S. citizen. He said the case was full of innuendo and the court had listened to dramatic hearsay testimony.

Meyers said his client wants to stay in the United States and plans to fight the allegations against him.