Jason M. Frierson U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada
A Las Vegas man with a history of felony convictions has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing an unserialized, privately made AR-15-pattern pistol, often referred to as a "ghost gun." According to court documents and statements in court, Noel Lynn Waters was found in possession of the loaded 5.56x45mm semi-automatic pistol on October 20, 2023. He admitted to pointing the firearm at another person and threatening to "shoot everybody."
Waters has previous felony convictions in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. His record includes prior offenses such as possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in Clark County, Nevada; possession of controlled substance for sale; unlawful possession or use of tear gas; felon in possession of a firearm; possession of a controlled substance while armed with a firearm; and transportation, furnishing or sale of controlled substance in Los Angeles County. Due to these convictions, he is legally barred from owning firearms.
Waters entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He faces up to 15 years in prison. Sentencing is set for January 14, 2026 before United States District Judge James C. Mahan. The final sentence will be determined by the judge after reviewing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) San Francisco Field Division announced the plea.
The case was investigated by ATF and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting.
Anyone with information about illegal firearms activity can contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit an anonymous tip at www.reportit.com/.
