PHOENIX, Ariz. – Syed Haider Najib, 30, of Phoenix, was sentenced on June 22, by Senior United States District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 22 months in prison. Najib previously pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person, an Alien Illegally and Unlawfully in the United States. Najib, who is originally from Afghanistan, has been illegally and unlawfully present in the United States since at least March 8, 2018, when his asylum application to remain in the United States permanently was denied and a final order of removal was issued by a United States Immigration Judge.
Because of conditions in Afghanistan, Najib was ordered removed to a third country. A third country could not be found for him, so he was released from custody. However, as he is still illegally and unlawfully present in the United States, Najib is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law. In 2023, FBI special agents discovered photographs and videos of Najib with a firearm on a social media site.
During a search of Najib’s home and car in October 2023, agents from FBI and HSI discovered an AR15-style rifle, a high-capacity magazine, and more than 175 rounds of ammunition in his car. As part of his plea agreement with the government, Najib agreed to forfeit the rifle and abandon the ammunition. The FBI’s Phoenix Division, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted the investigation.
The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.CASE NUMBER: CR-23-1445-PHX-DLRRELEASE NUMBER: 2026-112_Najib# # #For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.