LAS VEGAS – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada, working with our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement, are combining resources to protect Nevada’s communities from offenders who violate federal firearms laws. We are jointly committed to bringing to justice those who endanger our communities.
“This week's sweeping indictments send a clear message: if you flood our streets with illegal guns or use a firearm to terrorize our neighborhoods, you will be caught and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of federal law,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah for the District of Nevada. “Our office, alongside our dedicated local and federal law enforcement partners, will continue to use every tool at our disposal to dismantle the networks driving gun violence and bring peace back to our communities.”
This week, federal firearms enforcement efforts in the District of Nevada resulted in the sentencing of an individual involved in the unlawful purchase of firearms and separate federal indictments charging four individuals prohibited from possessing firearms.
Jerion Ballott was sentenced today to three years’ probation for providing a false statement during the purchase of a firearm at a Federal Firearms Licensee in Las Vegas. Between May 2020 and March 2022, he aided his co-defendant in purchasing 18 firearms that were later resold to others – some of those firearms ended up in the hands of criminals. He has a prior domestic violence conviction, and he is prohibited by law from possessing firearms. The government recommended 18 months’ imprisonment.
In addition, a federal grand jury returned separate indictments this week charging three individuals with prior felony convictions and one individual who is unlawfully in the United States with illegally possessing firearms.
According to allegations made in the separate indictments:
• On or about August 13, 2026, Charles Richard Cleary, Jr. possessed a semi-automatic .32 caliber pistol, a .30-06 Springfield caliber semi-automatic rifle, and a 12-gauge shotgun, after he had previously been convicted of murder in Indiana. Cleary Jr. is charged with one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
• On or about August 27, 2026, Vadim Merkulov , who is an illegal alien in the United States, possessed multiple firearms including a 9x18mm Makarov firearm, a .45 caliber firearm, and a 5.56 caliber firearm. Merkulov is charged with one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
• On or about June 9, 2026, Rondall Talley possessed a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol after he had previously been convicted of carjacking, interference with commerce by robbery, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in Nevada. Talley was on federal supervision at the time of this alleged offense. Talley is charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
• On or about February 20, 2026, Wesley Alan Wilson possessed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol after he had previously been convicted of grand larceny auto, possession of forged instrument, two counts of possession of stolen vehicle, and attempt possession of stolen vehicle, all in Clark County, Nevada. Wilson is charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
These cases are being investigated by the ATF, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Melinda Brewer, Steven Rose, Joseph Sciscento, and Melanee Smith are prosecuting these cases.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Nevada — U.S. Department of Justice press release.