Cypress Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearms Trafficking

A 44-year-old Cypress resident, Nicah Anderson, has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the business of dealing in firearms without a license, U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani announced. Anderson, a federal firearms licensee and former majority owner and operator of NE Guns, was involved in an illegal firearms trafficking operation.

Between December 2022 and March 2023, an individual arranged the purchases of at least 41 firearms from NE Guns using straw purchasers, who bought the guns on behalf of the individual. Anderson was aware of these illegal resales. The firearms included Barret .50 caliber sniper rifles, FN SCAR 17S rifles, and 9 millimeter pistols, known to be used by Mexican drug cartels.

On July 19, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at NE Guns, seizing 266 firearms, 138,940 rounds of ammunition, seven silencers, and business records. The investigation revealed NE Guns received $115,000 from suspected straw purchases between October 2022 and August 2023.

“This case underscores the importance of stopping illegal firearms trafficking,” said Hamdani. “The illegal sale of weapons, including military-grade guns, poses a severe risk to public safety.”

Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel of the ATF emphasized the link between firearms trafficking and gun violence, stating that Anderson’s actions prioritized profit over public safety.

U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison accepted Anderson’s plea and scheduled sentencing for October 24. Anderson is expected to serve a two-year prison sentence as part of his plea agreement and remains on bond until sentencing.

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