A Seal Beach-based attorney was arrested Monday on federal charges of selling guns without a license and dealing methamphetamine.
Melinda Romines, 41, of Anaheim, was charged in a federal grand jury indictment returned last week with one count each of conspiracy to engage in dealing firearms without a license and possession of an unregistered firearm, along with two counts of distributing methamphetamine.
Romines allegedly acted as a broker by acquiring weapons on the black market and then selling them to customers, according to the indictment.
The defendant is accused of:
— selling a .40-caliber pistol and an AR-type .45-caliber rifle without serial numbers, as well as a silencer and a high-capacity magazine with about 20 rounds of ammunition, in a May 2018 deal in Los Angeles for $2,600;
— selling a .45-caliber pistol and ammunition for $900 in October 2018 in Los Angeles; and
— selling about a quarter-pound of methamphetamine in two deals in October and November 2018.
Co-defendant Seaira Benson, 27, of Los Angeles is charged with dealing about 111 grams of methamphetamine and is being sought by authorities.