SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A 24-year-old man from Syracuse has pleaded guilty to multiple federal firearms offenses, as reported by the United States Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York. Mergim Ademi admitted to engaging in illegal activities between January 2023 and March 2024. During this period, he acquired firearms and firearm parts, advertised them for sale on platforms like Facebook, and completed transactions with customers for cash despite not having the necessary license to operate as a firearms dealer.

In particular, Ademi confessed to selling a rifle, nine handguns (including ones that were privately assembled and some reported as stolen), a forced reset trigger, and various rounds of ammunition in seven separate deals from December 19, 2023, to March 28, 2024. He acknowledged knowingly selling firearms and ammunition to an individual he believed to be a felon. Furthermore, Ademi admitted to selling firearms near a charter high school in Syracuse, within approximately 260 feet of the school grounds.

Ademi pleaded guilty to charges including dealing in firearms without a license, selling firearms and ammunition to a prohibited individual, and possessing a firearm within a school zone. He is facing a maximum combined sentence of 25 years in prison and a potential criminal fine of up to $750,000. Ademi could also be subjected to up to three years of supervised release post-incarceration, with his sentencing scheduled for November 27.