Tag:

Ghost guns

Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say
Drugs, Ghost Guns, Corruption: Former NJ Police Sergeant Indicted, Prosecutors Say A former Middletown police sergeant was given 22 criminal charges after an investigation revealed a web of illegal activity involving untraceable guns, drugs, and abuse of power, authorities said. David Ringkamp, 43, was indicted by a grand jury, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Dec. 19. Ringkamp was formerly a Union Beach resident. The investigation into Ringkamp began in December 2021. New York State Police identified Nicholas D’Ambrosio of Millstone as someone purchasing kits to assemble ghost guns, which are illegal in New Jersey.…
Duo Found With Ghost Guns, Drug Equipment In Atlantic City Home Sentenced: Prosecutors Duo Found With Ghost Guns, Drug Equipment In Atlantic City Home Sentenced: Prosecutors
Duo Found With Ghost Guns, Drug Equipment In Atlantic City Home Sentenced: Prosecutors Two Atlantic City men will spend at least three years in prison after admitting to having two ghost guns in a home with three children inside, authorities said. A judge sentenced 33-year-old Robert Caro-Green and 31-year-old Lenardo Caro on Thursday, Apr. 25 to six years in state prison, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. They had each pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit in October and November 2023. Atlantic City police and the department's SWAT team executed a no-knock search warrant at a home on the 1500 block of Mediterra…
Ghost Gunman Who Killed Home Invader Released From Jail In South Jersey: Prosecutor Ghost Gunman Who Killed Home Invader Released From Jail In South Jersey: Prosecutor
Ghost Gunman Who Killed Home Invader Released From Jail In South Jersey: Prosecutor A 24-year-old Cumberland County man charged with multiple gun crimes after he shot and killed an alleged home invader was ordered released from jail on Friday afternoon, March 1, authorities said. Kevin Lucero, 24, shot one of two people who reportedly forced their way into his Upper Deerfield home at 7:15 p.m. on Feb. 19, New Jersey State Police said.  Lucero was charged with owning ghost guns and other weapons offenses, police said. A ghost gun is a firearm without a serial number. Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae confirmed Lucero's release from jail. Troopers …
Man Shoots, Kills Home Invader Then Gets Arrested For Having Ghost Guns In South Jersey Man Shoots, Kills Home Invader Then Gets Arrested For Having Ghost Guns In South Jersey
Man Shoots, Kills Home Invader Then Gets Arrested For Having Ghost Guns In South Jersey A Cumberland County man shot an alleged home invader dead and then was arrested himself for owning ghost guns, authorities said. A ghost gun is a firearm without a serial number. Troopers responded Monday, Feb. 19, at approximately 7:15 pm, to a residence on Old Deerfield Pike in Upper Deerfield Township for a burglary in progress with a gunshot victim, New Jersey State Police said. Based on a preliminary investigation, upon arrival, the troopers were met by Kevin Lucero, 24, who advised there was a male inside the residence suffering from a gunshot wound. Troopers attempted life-saving m…
How JFK Airport Customs Agents ID'd Ghost Gun Manufacturing Ring Out Of Suburban Philly Home How JFK Airport Customs Agents ID'd Ghost Gun Manufacturing Ring Out Of Suburban Philly Home
How JFK Airport Customs Agents ID'd Ghost Gun Manufacturing Ring Out Of Suburban Philly Home Three men from Montgomery County have been arrested for their roles in trafficking and manufacturing ghost guns and suppressors, authorities said. Tony Phan Ho, 32, ran the operation out of his Hatfield home with help from Rithga Ngoy, 36, of Hatfield and Michael Phan Nguyen, 32, of Lansdale, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said. A search of Ho’s property found all of the tools needed to privately manufacture firearms, numerous AR-15 rifle parts, firearm sights, firearm sight tools, a Polymer80 tool kit, weapon mounted lights, a Glock pistol barrel, a Sig Sauer…
Pleasantville Man Admits Having Ghost Gun In Exchange For 3-Year Prison Term: Prosecutor Pleasantville Man Admits Having Ghost Gun In Exchange For 3-Year Prison Term: Prosecutor
Pleasantville Man Admits Having Ghost Gun In Exchange For 3-Year Prison Term: Prosecutor A 19-year-old Pleasantville man faces three years in New Jersey state Prison in exchange for his guilty plea on a weapons charge, authorities said. Jonathan Valentine, 19, of Pleasantville was charged with the unlawful possession of a handgun, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.  As part of the plea agreement, the defendant must also consent to forfeit the handgun, extended ammunition magazine, and cash seized. Sentencing will be on Feb. 28. On June 17, 2022, Pleasantville Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Doughty Road and West Ba…
23,000 Fentanyl Doses, 30 Homemade Guns Seized In NJ Latin Kings Takedown: Feds 23,000 Fentanyl Doses, 30 Homemade Guns Seized In NJ Latin Kings Takedown: Feds
23,000 Fentanyl Doses, 30 Homemade Guns Seized In NJ Latin Kings Takedown: Feds More than 23,000 doses of fentanyl, nearly 30 homemade firearms and a host of parts designed to create fully-automatic machine guns were seized in the takedown of a drug and gun trafficking network run by New Jersey members of the Latin Kings, federal authorities announced. Nine reputed members of the ring were charged with a variety of drug and weapon offenses that include creating and selling private-made firearms (PMFs), more commonly known as “ghost guns," U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. PMFs were actually being made on 3D printers at the moment law enforcers raided one of sever…
Cache Of Firearms, 50 Bags Of Fentanyl Leads To Bucks Ghost Gun Manufacturer's Historic Arrest Cache Of Firearms, 50 Bags Of Fentanyl Leads To Bucks Ghost Gun Manufacturer's Historic Arrest
Cache Of Firearms, 50 Bags Of Fentanyl Leads To Bucks Ghost Gun Manufacturer's Historic Arrest The owner of a Bristol business faces more gun charges than anyone in recent Bucks County history after detectives seized "dozens" of firearms and partially assembled "ghost guns" from his home, authorities say.  Prosecutors say Russell Byron Norton, 32, of Bensalem, played a key role in the Pentz organization, a drug- and weapon-trafficking ring that operated across lower Bucks County, said District Attorney Matthew Weintraub in a statement Friday, Dec. 23.  Nicholas Pentz, the suspected ringleader of the crew, was arrested on various charges in June, as Daily Voice reported.  Investigat…
Confessed Hasbrouck Heights 'Ghost Gun' Trafficker Gets Minimum 3½ Years In State Prison Confessed Hasbrouck Heights 'Ghost Gun' Trafficker Gets Minimum 3½ Years In State Prison
Confessed Hasbrouck Heights 'Ghost Gun' Trafficker Gets Minimum 3½ Years In State Prison A convicted "ghost gun" trafficker from Hasbrouck Heights must spend at least 3½ plea-bargained years in state prison before he'll be eligible for parole. Michael Maresca, 34, has been held in the Bergen County Jail since investigators arrested him in November 2020 outside the Macarthur Avenue home he grew up in for trafficking the untraceable guns in and around Paterson. Maresca, who operated an aquarium installation and maintenance company, had sold two “ghost guns” for $1,650 each to an undercover investigator at the residence, they said. One of them had an illegal 15-round magazine loa…
14-Year-Old Arrested In Atlantic City Shooting, Handgun Recovered: Police 14-Year-Old Arrested In Atlantic City Shooting, Handgun Recovered: Police
14-Year-Old Arrested In Atlantic City Shooting, Handgun Recovered: Police A 14-year-old juvenile wanted in a recent shooting has been arrested, authorities said. On May 31, at 9:33 p.m., Atlantic City patrol officers responded to the first block of South Florida Avenue in reference to a report that someone was shot. Police found a man shot multiple times. The victim, 29, of Atlantic City, was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for treatment of his injuries. An investigation conducted by detectives of the Violent Crimes Unit led to the identification and charges against a 14-year-old juvenile, police said. On Friday, June 10, at 8:…
Passaic Sheriff's Detectives Seize Pound Of Coke, 'Ghost Gun,' $15,259, Bust Business Couple Passaic Sheriff's Detectives Seize Pound Of Coke, 'Ghost Gun,' $15,259, Bust Business Couple
Passaic Sheriff's Detectives Seize Pound Of Coke, 'Ghost Gun,' $15,259, Bust Business Couple A Paterson couple who sold drugs from their money-wiring business were busted by Passaic County sheriff's detectives with nearly a pound of cocaine, more than an ounce of heroin and a "ghost gun," authorities said. The detectives moved in after watching a customer buy cocaine and then hop into a cab, Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik said. Working with the county prosecutor's office, the investigators raided the now-former River Multi Services shop on River Street and a nearby apartment shared by Steven A. Mejias-Escoto, 36, and Andry Hernandez-Paulino, 29, in the city's Bunker Hill…
Police Seize $43.5K, 'Ghost Guns,' Arrest 6 During Atlantic City Drug Sweep Police Seize $43.5K, 'Ghost Guns,' Arrest 6 During Atlantic City Drug Sweep
Police Seize $43.5K, 'Ghost Guns,' Arrest 6 During Atlantic City Drug Sweep Atlantic City police arrested six men and seized $43,500 in cash during a crackdown on drug dealing, authorities said. Two of the suspects also were found to be in possession of loaded "ghost guns," and a handgun, Atlantic City police said. On Friday, May 27, members of the Atlantic City Police Department’s Special Investigations Section conducted an operation in the first block of South Florida Avenue. The street operation was conducted in response to citizen complaints of drug activity occurring in the block, police said. Elijah Harris, 51, and Xavier Martin, 22, both of Atlantic City, w…
NJ Man Was Assembling 'Ghost Guns' In His Basement: State Police NJ Man Was Assembling 'Ghost Guns' In His Basement: State Police
NJ Man Was Assembling 'Ghost Guns' In His Basement: State Police A 26-year-old man from South Jersey has. been arrested for manufacturing "ghost guns" after 16 partially-assembled guns and a fully-assembled gun were seized, authorities said, Carlos Castillo of Mantua Township was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with no serial number, unlawful possession of a weapon, and unlawful possession of firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a serial number, State Police said. In January, detectives from the State Police Gangs and Organized Crime South Unit began investigating the distribution of ghost guns in Gloucester County and determined …
Online Sale Gone Bad: NJ Men Used Ghost Guns To Rob FB Marketplace Buyer, Police Say Online Sale Gone Bad: NJ Men Used Ghost Guns To Rob FB Marketplace Buyer, Police Say
Online Sale Gone Bad: NJ Men Used Ghost Guns To Rob FB Marketplace Buyer, Police Say Four “ghost guns” were confiscated from two 18-year-old men who used them to rob victims at gunpoint, police said. Nestor Rivera and Hassani Webb are accused of advertising a PlayStation 5 game console for sale on Facebook Marketplace and robbing the potential buyer at gunpoint when they met on Peabody Lane in Hamilton on Nov. 19, Hamilton Police said. Four “ghost” guns and several high-capacity extended magazines were found during a search of the suspects’ homes in Trenton, authorities said. Rivera and Webb were charged with robbery, possession of weapons parts and other offenses on Dec. …
NJ, PA Trio Trafficked Dozens Of 'Ghost Guns,' Indictment Charges NJ, PA Trio Trafficked Dozens Of 'Ghost Guns,' Indictment Charges
NJ, PA Trio Trafficked Dozens Of 'Ghost Guns,' Indictment Charges Two Philadelphia men and one from Camden trafficked no fewer than two dozen untraceable “ghost guns” from Pennsylvania into New Jersey, a grand jury indictment alleges. Even more guns, as well as parts, large-capacity magazine and ammo, were seized during the investigation, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said Tuesday. According to the indictment returned in Trenton, Eduardo T. Lazo Jr., 26, of Camden, organized the operation and sold the illegal guns in Camden. Juan Enrique Fernandez, 29, and Ericknell Rivera-Mercado, 31, both of Philadelphia, are accused of bringing th…
Halloween Party Bus Stop Nets 14 Arrests, 6 Guns, High Capacity Mags: NJ State Police Halloween Party Bus Stop Nets 14 Arrests, 6 Guns, High Capacity Mags: NJ State Police
Halloween Party Bus Stop Nets 14 Arrests, 6 Guns, High Capacity Mags: NJ State Police Six guns and high-capacity magazines were seized and 14 people were arrested during the stop of a party bus on Halloween in Mercer County, New Jersey State Police said. Detectives with the Crime Suppression Central Unit learned that a party bus carrying multiple people carrying weapons was traveling through Mercer County and that it would return to the Trenton area through Interstate 195, police said. Authorities tracked and stopped the bus on Interstate 195 in Hamilton Township around 3:30 a.m. As detectives approached the bus, they saw the occupants trying to hide several weapons. The oc…
3.5 Kilos Fentanyl, 8,500 Pills, Guns, $20K Cash Seized In Major Camden 'Pill Mill' Bust 3.5 Kilos Fentanyl, 8,500 Pills, Guns, $20K Cash Seized In Major Camden 'Pill Mill' Bust
3.5 Kilos Fentanyl, 8,500 Pills, Guns, $20K Cash Seized In Major Camden 'Pill Mill' Bust More than three kilos of highly-toxic fentanyl was seized during a multi-agency raid on an alleged "pill mill" in South Jersey, authorities said. The Camden County Prosecutor's Narcotics Task Force, with the help of multiple other agencies, successfully broke up the pill mill in Camden, following a six-month investigation, they said. The alleged pill mill spanned two City of Camden locations, accofding to  Mayer: One is located on the 1100 block of S. Merrimac Road and the other on the 2900 block of N. 36th Street, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer. This oper…
Atlantic City SWAT Arrests Trio, Recovers Loaded Machine Gun Atlantic City SWAT Arrests Trio, Recovers Loaded Machine Gun
Atlantic City SWAT Arrests Trio, Recovers Loaded Machine Gun A warranted raid on a home in Atlantic City led to three arrests and the recovery of multiple weapons including a loaded machine gun, authorities said. Atlantic City SWAT and Special Investigations detectives made the court-ordered search on Friday on the 1500 block of Mediterranean Avenue, police said. Three suspects were arrested as they left the home, according to police: Robert Caro-Green, Lenardo Caro, and Adaliz Feliciano. Police said they found three juveniles sitting on a couch in the living room of the home being search. A detective reportedly found a loaded handgun und…
AG: 4 Philadelphia Men Arrested Following Morgantown Gun Show Investigation AG: 4 Philadelphia Men Arrested Following Morgantown Gun Show Investigation
AG: 4 Philadelphia Men Arrested Following Morgantown Gun Show Investigation Four Philadelphia men were arrested following a Morgantown gun show investigation that uncovered a ghost gun trafficking operation, authorities announced. Authorities seized five fully assembled ghost guns, four 80% receiver kits, one 80% receiver, one Smith and Wesson revolver, extended magazines, and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to Attorney General Josh Shapiro. Ghost guns typically start as “80% receivers” that are often sold in kits without background checks. They can be easily and quickly put together, lack serial numbers so they cannot be traced, and, once full…