Illegal Guns, Ammo Seized From Stamford Home; 3 Men Arrested: Police

STAMFORD, CT — Stamford police announced this week they have arrested three men and seized three illegal guns, two of which were hidden in ceiling tiles in a Stamford home, after a brief investigation earlier this month.

Jayson Montoya, 19, was arrested at his home in Stamford on Jan 17, police said. Marquis Williams, 20, of Ansonia, and Cincere Stanley, 21, of Stamford, surrendered to police on Jan. 23.

The three men all face similar charges, including illegal transfer of a firearm, conspiracy, illegal possession of a high-capacity magazine, and possession of a pistol without a permit.

"There were a number of resources committed to this, and [officers] were able to come up with three firearms, high capacity magazines and ammunition," Stamford Assistant Police Chief Richard Conklin said. "We had a good case by narcotics and organized crime to take a number of illegal firearms off the street from these parties."

The Stamford Police Department's Narcotics & Organized Crime Squad (NOC) received information that there were "a number of weapons" stored at a home on Hillside Avenue, according to Conklin.

On Jan. 3, NOC officers, along with officers from the midnight patrol division, Special Response Team and SPD K-9 unit responded to the home and "set up containment" on the perimeter and called for those inside to come out, Conklin said.

Eventually, all the occupants in the home came outside, including Montoya, Williams and Stanley, police said.

"After a lengthy conversation with Stanley’s parents, we were able to gain consent to search the residence," police said in an arrest summary. "While searching, Cincere advised that when upon observing the police presence outside, he quickly hid two firearms in the basement bathroom ceiling tile."

Officers recovered a Glock 17 9mm semiautomatic pistol, and a Glock 23 .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol in the ceiling tiles, police said.

Two loaded high-capacity magazines and an empty 9mm magazine were also found, according to police.

In another bedroom, officers found a loaded Taurus .38 caliber special, police said.

The decision was made to seize the weapons and confer with the State's Attorney’s Office about appropriate charges.

NOC officers later completed arrest warrants for Montoya, Williams and Stanley, which were signed by Judge John F. Blawie, police said.

All three men were given $150,000 court-set bonds, and they must come up with 30 percent of the amount due to serious firearm offenses, Conklin noted.

Montoya is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Jan. 31. Williams and Stanley are due in court on Feb. 6.