Las Vegas Man with Multiple Felony Convictions Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Unlawful Possession of Privately Made AR-15 Pattern Pistol 

June 28, 2026 – LAS VEGAS, NV – A Las Vegas man who had previously admitted to unlawful possession of an unserialized, privately made AR-15-pattern pistol was sentenced on Thursday by United States District Judge Richard F. Boulware, II to 80 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. A privately made firearm without a serial number is sometimes called a “ghost gun.” The government recommended 130 months’ imprisonment.

According to court documents, Noel Lynn Waters possessed and brandished a privately made firearm eight months after he was released from state custody following his prison sentence for a firearm conviction. On October 20, 2023, Waters unlawfully possessed a loaded, privately made 5.56x45mm semi-automatic pistol incorporating an AR-15-pattern lower receiver. He 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. As a convicted felon, Waters is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

In September 2025, Waters pleaded guilty to one-count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. 

First Assistant United States Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge John Wester of the 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 prosecuted 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.

Source: DOJ Release