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Two Western Mass Men Nabbed With Weapons, 'Ghost Gun,' Police Say

Two Western Massachusetts men were arrested for alleged possession of weapons, including a "ghost gun."

The guns and ammo.

The guns and ammo.

Photo Credit: Springfield Police Department

The two were busted around 3:45 p.m., Thursday, July 15, in Hampden County, when members of the Springfield Police Department, along with other law enforcement officials, served a warrant at the home of John Cortez.

The warrant was the result of an investigation into illegal firearms, with Cortez, of Springfield, as the target, said Ryan Walsh, spokesman for the Springfield Police.

Also arrested during the search, was 29-year-old Berenice Alvardod, of Springfield, police said.

When officers entered the home, Cortez, age 21, was found hiding in a closet. 

During a search of the home, detectives recovered a loaded “ghost gun” with a loaded 15 round magazine, a loaded high-capacity firearm, a loaded 33 round magazine, and additional ammunition, police said. 

Springfield Police arrested Cortez in November 2019 on firearms charges and he had an active default warrant from that open case.

Cortez was charged with:

  • Possession of a firearm without an FID Card
  • Two counts of possession of a high capacity magazine
  • Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID Card

He was also held on a Northern Berkshire Court warrant for burned motor vehicle and firearms offenses and Springfield Court on additional firearms offenses.

Alvarado was charged with:

  • Possession of a firearm without an FID Card
  • Possession of a high capacity magazine
  • Improper storage of a large capacity firearm
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID Card

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