An Egyptian citizen has admitted guilt to federal firearms charges following an incident at a gas station in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Court records show that on May 12, 2025, Moustafa Mahmoud Abdelnabi Salem threatened another individual by drawing a handgun, chambering a round, and pointing it at the person.
After the altercation, the victim reported the event to a nearby officer from the Las Cruces Police Department. When questioned by police at the scene, Salem claimed that he had been assaulted with a large knife and denied using his handgun against the victim. He also refused to let officers retrieve the firearm from his vehicle, raising suspicions about his possession of the weapon.
Further investigation revealed that Salem was in the United States unlawfully after overstaying his visitor visa. Surveillance footage from the gas station showed Salem as the aggressor during the confrontation.
Salem pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He could face up to 15 years in prison at sentencing and will be subject to deportation as an aggravated felon after serving his sentence.
"Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today."
The investigation was conducted by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with support from both the Las Cruces Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations El Paso. The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Tonkin.
