An investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has led to the federal grand jury indictment of Mikhail Gouldson, a 36-year-old resident of Paterson, New Jersey, on multiple firearms-related charges. The indictment was filed on March 10 at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Gouldson faces a five-count indictment that includes charges such as dealing in firearms without a license, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of machine guns, possession of unregistered firearms, and attempted trafficking in firearms.
Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge with ICE Homeland Security Investigations Newark, stated: “We seized an alarming number of firearms, ammunition, and equipment from Gouldson’s residence that was capable of bringing a lot of destruction into our community.” He also highlighted the cooperation with agencies like the FBI in Cherry Hill, ATF in Newark, and the United States Postal Inspection Service’s Philadelphia Division. This partnership supported the Paterson Violent Crime Initiative aimed at combating violent crime.
During their search of Gouldson's residence, law enforcement found dozens of illicit firearms including 3D-printed "ghost" gun frames, machine gun conversion devices, silencers, short-barreled rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a 3D printer. Multiple shipments containing weaponry mailed to his address were intercepted during the investigation.
The charge for dealing in firearms without a license carries up to five years’ imprisonment. The counts for possession by a convicted felon and attempted trafficking each carry up to 15 years’ imprisonment. Possession counts for machine guns and unregistered firearms each carry up to ten years’ imprisonment. Each count is accompanied by a potential fine of $250,000.
It is important to note that these charges are accusations at this stage; Gouldson is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
