Las Vegas Man Pleads Guilty To Unlawful Possession Of Privately Made AR-15 Pattern Pistol

LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident who has multiple prior felony convictions pleaded guilty today to unlawful possession of an unserialized, privately made AR-15-pattern pistol. A privately made firearm without a serial number is sometimes called a “ghost gun.”

According to court documents and statements made in court, on or about October 20, 2023, Noel Lynn Waters unlawfully possessed a loaded, privately made 5.56x45mm semi-automatic pistol incorporating an AR-15-pattern lower receiver. He further admitted that he pointed the firearm at another person and threatened he was going to “shoot everybody.”

Waters has multiple prior felony convictions in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. He was previously convicted of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in Clark County, Nevada. Additionally, he was previously convicted of 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, all in Los Angeles County. He is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

Waters pleaded guilty to one-count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2026, before United States District Judge James C. Mahan. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Topper, San Francisco Field Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

The ATF and Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting the case.

Anyone with information about unlawful firearms activity should call ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit an anonymous tip at www.reportit.com/.

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