Man who tried to rob undercover agent in Kent pleads guilty

SEATTLE — A man who attempted to rob an undercover federal agent and a confidential informant at gunpoint has pleaded guilty to federal charges.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Seattle says 20-year-old Abdirashid Haret of Des Moines, Washington, entered guilty pleas to assault and gun charges in U.S. District Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutors said that in October 2017 Haret and another man were meeting with the informant and the undercover ATF agent outside a home improvement store in Kent to sell them two guns. Instead, they said, the two men pulled out guns and tried to rob them. The agent said he would get additional money out of his own car, and Haret followed him.

The agent managed to pull his gun and shot Haret's companion, while Haret dropped his gun and ran — he was struck by a car crossing Pacific Highway. Haret's companion, 23-year-old Omar Abdullah, is still being treated for gunshot wounds; he is also charged in the case.

Prosecutors said they intend to seek a sentence of up to 15 years in prison for Haret.