Nicah Anderson, a gun dealer from Cypress, was convicted of illegal firearms trafficking and sentenced to 24 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. Anderson, 45, pleaded guilty on August 9 to helping run a business dealing firearms without a license, a federal offense tied to violent crimes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Between December 2022 and March 2023, Anderson, the former owner of NE Guns, was involved in facilitating illegal gun purchases. A July 2023 search of his business uncovered over 266 firearms, including high-powered rifles and pistols, along with ammunition, silencers, and key business records. As a licensed gun dealer, Anderson neglected his legal responsibilities, contributing to illegal trafficking, including firearms used by criminal organizations like drug cartels. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stated, "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," as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Anderson is getting ready to serve his sentence, while the investigation has expanded to others involved in the illegal gun buying scheme. Imran Ali, Averyl Pereyra, and Ammar Ali have admitted their roles and will be sentenced in February 2025, facing up to five years in prison. Some of the guns they bought have been found at crime scenes in Mexico. The court proceedings aim to discourage similar crimes and show the legal system is working to stop illegal gun trafficking. Anderson has been allowed to voluntarily surrender to a prison to begin his sentence, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
