A Cypress resident has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for aiding and abetting illegal firearms trafficking. Nicah Anderson, a former federal firearms licensee and owner of NE Guns, pleaded guilty on August 9 to dealing in firearms without a license. Following his prison term, Anderson will undergo one year of supervised release.

"Anderson selfishly prioritized his profits over public safety," stated U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. "Anderson claimed his gun store was not as profitable as he hoped, but that’s no excuse for turning a blind eye so many suspect gun sales."

Special Agent Michael Weddel from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who exploit the system: "It is our duty to ensure that those who exploit the system, especially licensed gun dealers who break the trust placed in them, are caught and held accountable."

Between December 2022 and March 2023, Anderson facilitated straw purchases of firearms such as Barret .50 caliber rifles and FN SCAR 17S rifles—often used by Mexican drug cartels. A search at NE Guns in July 2023 resulted in the seizure of 266 firearms and other items.

The investigation also implicated Imran Ali from Spring; Averyl Pereyra from Houston; and Ammar Ali from Spring in conspiracy to straw purchase firearms. Imran Ali orchestrated these purchases despite being prohibited from buying firearms himself.

U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison will sentence these individuals on February 11, 2025. They face up to five years in federal prison but remain on bond until then.

The ATF led the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kate Suh and John Ganz prosecuting.