Seven individuals have been arrested following a nine-count indictment related to a firearms conspiracy, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. The charges involve providing false information to federal firearms licensed dealers.
The final suspect, Gemale Sheali, 23, from Houston, was apprehended in Chicago and is expected to appear in court there before being ordered to Houston for arraignment. The other six individuals—Eddylson Patino, 23; Muhammad Dagha, 22; Abuelgasim Siddig, 23; Omar Farooq, 24; Erik Aguirre, 23; and Andres Ferman, 24—have already made appearances in federal court.
The investigation began after authorities discovered 68 firearms near the Canadian border in Neche, North Dakota. These included a suppressor and ammunition. It is alleged that some of the conspirators from the Houston area purchased these weapons by providing false information to dealers.
The indictment claims that starting around 2024, the group acquired firearms under false pretenses. Two guns linked to this conspiracy were reportedly found in Mexico and Canada. Patino is accused of obtaining firearms for exportation outside the U.S., while Dagha allegedly recruited others to purchase weapons on his behalf.
All seven defendants face charges of conspiracy and providing false information during firearm acquisitions. Each charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Houston and Fargo led the investigation with support from Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI), Canadian law enforcement agencies, and the Houston Police Department.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Smith is prosecuting with help from Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Lee from North Dakota's district office.
An indictment serves as an accusation but does not constitute evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty through due process.