Firearms Resulted in the Deaths of a Law Enforcement Officer and Civilian 

January 14, 2024 - LAS VEGAS – A North Las Vegas man was sentenced last Monday by United States District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey to 32 months in prison for illegally buying and selling over 200 firearms without a Federal Firearms License.

In January 2023, after the Government rested its case-in-chief at trial, Charles Martin Ellis (69) pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in the business of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of the transfer or sale of a firearm to a non-resident.

According to court documents and admissions made in court, in February 2017, Ellis bought a Zastava 7.62mm caliber AK-47-style assault pistol and, in February 2017, he resold that firearm to an individual. In August 2017, a convicted felon used that firearm to kill a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department Deputy and shot and wounded two California Highway Patrol Investigators who were investigating a stolen vehicle. An ATF investigation revealed guns sold by Ellis were used in other crimes in Nevada and California. In September 2017, Ellis bought a Century Arms International Rifle in Las Vegas and resold that firearm to an individual. Two years later, that firearm was used in a homicide in Guadalajara, Mexico.

In total, Ellis bought and quickly resold over 200 firearms without a Federal Firearms License. Some of the guns have been seized by law enforcement in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Mexico.

United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Cicolani for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement.

The case was investigated by the ATF. Assistant United States Attorneys Ed Veronda and Nadia Ahmed prosecuted the case.

Anyone with information about crimes that may be happening in your communities that involve firearms, explosives, arson, and violent crime can call ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), email ATFTips@atf.gov or submit information anonymously at www.reportit.com.