Ice agents uncover major illegal firearms trafficking operation in new jersey

NEWARK, N.J. – A federal grand jury has indicted a New Jersey man on multiple firearms-related charges following an investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Mikhail Gouldson, 36, of Paterson, was charged March 10 in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in a five-count indictment. The charges include 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.

Authorities seized a significant number of illicit firearms and accessories from Gouldson’s residence. The inventory included 3D-printed “ghost” gun frames, machine gun conversion devices, firearm silencers, short-barreled rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and a 3D printer.

“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,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark.

Law enforcement intercepted multiple shipments of weaponry mailed to Gouldson’s residence during the investigation. The case was supported by the FBI in Cherry Hill, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Newark, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Philadelphia Division.

If convicted, Gouldson faces up to 15 years in prison for possessing firearms as a convicted felon and attempted trafficking, up to 10 years for possession of machine guns and unregistered firearms, and up to five years for dealing firearms without a license. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000.

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