Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

NORFOLK, Va. – A Chesapeake man pleaded guilty today in connection with the sale of a firearm to a prohibited person.

According to court documents, from April to July 2020, Ibrahim Nader Abdelhay, 27, a self-proclaimed “gun enthusiast,” purchased approximately 20 firearms in the Eastern District of Virginia. Abdelhay sold at least one of these firearms to an individual who was a convicted felon. Abdelhay told investigators that he knew the individual to whom he sold the firearm, who is now deceased, was a convicted felon and could not buy firearms for himself. During the investigation, law enforcement agents recovered six firearms originally purchased by Abdelhay at the residence of the individual.

Abdelhay is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Charlie J. Patterson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Division; and Brian Dugan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Norfolk Field Office, made the announcement after U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert J. Krask accepted the plea.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Turner is prosecuting the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-134.

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