Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

LOS ANGELES – San Bernardino man sentenced to more than five years in prison after selling drugs to law enforcement. Maher Diab, 41, was sentenced to 68 months in prions and five years of supervised release on Jan. 14 after being found guilty by a jury earlier this month for distribution of more than five grams of methamphetamine in a controlled purchase organized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in July 2017.

Diab was also found guilty approximately a decade ago for selling a rifle to an undercover ATF agent at the very same location. Diab is now a two-time ATF convicted felon in addition to his other state felony convictions. 

Diab who operates the liquor store, known as Terry’s Liquor, 1221 E. Lynwood Dr., San Bernardino, California were specifically targeted by ATF after intelligence revealed the location was a source for narcotics and firearms in the San Bernardino area.  The business is surrounded by an extremely high crime area that has experienced numerous shootings in the immediate area. The location was known to be a spot where crime guns could be bought and sold.        

“These career criminals need to understand ATF and San Bernardino Police Department will not allow the crime to continue,” said ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Bill McMullan. “ATF will remain diligent in its fight against these repeat offenders who continue to traffic drug and firearms in our communities.”

 Special Assistant United States Attorney Paul Levers of the San Bernardino District Attorney’s Office and Assistant United States Attorney Sonah Lee of the United States Attorney’s Office in Riverside prosecuted the case.  For more information, follow ATF LAFD on Twitter @LosAngelesATF.

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