'Ghost Gun' Manufacturer From Burlington County Sentenced To Prison: Officials

EVESHAM, NJ — A South Jersey man who officials say was manufacturing "ghost guns" will spend time in prison, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

Gregory Carleton of Marlton was sentenced to more than 19 years in New Jersey State Prison on six firearms counts, the prosecutor's office said.

Officers witnessed Carleton selling a ghost gun and arrested him in Hammonton in 2018, according to the prosecutor's office. Police seized a number of handguns, as well as rifles and shotguns, from his residence in 2018. Of these, officials said 15 were ghost guns.

"In addition, there was equipment, devices, tools, mechanisms, including undocumented handgun and rifle uppers and lowers, frames, bolts, and receivers that Carleton was utilizing to make complete and operable firearms," officials said.

Investigators also seized a ghost gun and another handgun when they searched Carleton's vehicle, the news release said.

Ghost guns are firearms assembled at home, and do not have a serial number for tracking.

An Atlantic County judge sentenced Carleton on Nov. 17, 2022 on three counts of possession of a handgun without a permit and three counts of unlawful transport and/or sale of a firearm.

The charges of possession of a handgun without a permit carry five years each, with three and a half years served before Carleton is eligible for parole, the prosecutor's office said.

The charges of unlawful transport and/or sale of a firearm carry 18 months each, officials said. All sentences are to run concurrently.