Grand Jury Indicts Westchester Family With Illegal Gun Horde: DA

ARMONK, NY — A Westchester grand jury has handed down a 34-count indictment against a Westchester family accused of illegally possessing nearly 50 guns.

Police seized 18 semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, two machine guns and a ghost gun in the Armonk family home.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah and North Castle Police Chief Peter J. Simonsen announced today that three North Castle residents, who are family members from the same household, were arraigned on an indictment alleging the illegal possession of nearly 50 guns, including semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, machine guns and a ghost gun, found in their home.

"This case is another result of our strong partnership with local police to ensure greater public safety by seizing illegal guns and preventing these deadly weapons from infiltrating our communities," Rocah said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon.

The Brois family was arraigned in Westchester County Court today, after a Westchester County grand jury indicted the family members on a slew of felony charges.

Patriarch Theodore Brois, 68, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the first degree, criminal possession of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (related to the alleged possession of five or more firearms), eight counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (related to the alleged possession of loaded assault weapons), and 12 counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

Brandon Brois, 25, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (related to the alleged possession of a loaded pistol), criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (related to the alleged possession of five or more firearms), two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (related to the alleged possession of loaded assault weapons), four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and nine misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Brandon Brois has a prior conviction of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, which prohibits him from legally possessing any firearm.

Helene Brois, 63, was charged with criminal possession of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (related to the alleged possession of five or more firearms), two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree (related to the alleged possession of loaded assault weapons), and three counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

"What is most notable is that this investigation was proactive in nature, and thankfully did not come as the result of a tragic incident," Chief Simonsen said. "It is most probable that this initiative, and its success, has prevented loss of life and victimization."

On January 25, 2022, just before 11:30 a.m., the North Castle Police Department arrested the three, who had no permits to legally purchase or possess firearms, and seized 48 guns, which were found in rooms throughout the house. At least 15 of the guns were loaded.

The family members' arrests were a result of an investigation by the North Castle Police Department, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety’s Real Time Crime Center, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.

The case is before Judge Anne Minihan in Westchester County Court, and is being prosecuted by the Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau of the Trials and Investigations Division.