Federal grand jury indicts New Jersey firearms trafficker following ICE investigation

NEWARK, N.J. – An investigation led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement resulted in a federal grand jury indictment of a New Jersey man for numerous firearms-related charges.

Mikhail Gouldson, 36, of Paterson, was charged on March 10 at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in a five-count indictment with one count of dealing in firearms without a license, one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, one count of possession of machine guns, one count of possession of unregistered firearms and one count of attempted trafficking in firearms.

“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 Newark. “Our incredible partnership with the FBI in Cherry Hill, ATF in Newark and the United States Postal Inspection Service’s Philadelphia Division in this investigation supported the Paterson Violent Crime Initiative to combat violent crime in their city. We remain steadfast to their commitment to public safety of all New Jersey communities by holding violent offenders like this firearms trafficker accountable.”

Law enforcement discovered dozens of illicit firearms, including 3D-printed “ghost” gun frames, machine gun conversion devices, firearm silencers, short-barreled rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a 3D printer in Gouldson’s residence.

Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement intercepted multiple shipments of weaponry that were mailed to Gouldson’s residence. After searching Gouldson’s residence, law enforcement recovered large quantities of firearms and ammunition, as well as 3D printing equipment.

The dealing in firearms without a license count carries a maximum penalty of 5 years’ imprisonment. The possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon and attempted trafficking in firearms counts each carries a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment. The possession of machine guns and unregistered firearms counts each carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. Each of the counts carries a maximum fine of $250,000.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.