'Ghost' Guns Found In Massive Rockland Weapons Probe

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — After a law enforcement operation that involved four Rockland police departments, two other counties and six federal agencies, four county residents have been indicted for illegally possessed firearms, District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced Thursday.

The operation also resulted in the seizure of 3 handguns and 10 assault rifles, all illegal to possess in New York State. Two of the 13 recovered firearms did not contain a serial number and are commonly referred to as “ghost guns."

They were arrested after a large-scale law enforcement operation, involving local, regional and federal agencies.

The operation was organized because since January of 2020, Rockland's police agencies have investigated over 60 shootings or calls of shots fired, the DA's office said — a historically high rate.

The intensive investigation was conducted by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. Partnering up with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, FBI Safe Streets Unit, Westchester County Police Department, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the agencies collected and evaluated information to establish evidence of purchased ghost guns parts and possession of illegal firearms by the four men.

"It is vital that law enforcement utilizes every tool in our arsenal to bring to justice those who attempt to circumvent the law by acquiring illegally owned weapons, especially those without serial numbers, commonly known as ‘Ghost Guns'," said Homeland Security Investigations New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. "The relationship forged between HSI New York and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office has been critical in stemming the flow of illegally owned weapons in Rockland County and ensuring that ‘Ghost Guns’ are removed from the streets along with the criminals who possess them."

On Feb. 16, three search warrants throughout Rockland County were executed without incident, and four men were arrested:

• Vandara Nguon, 34, of Pomona: 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Assault Weapon, Penal Law 265.02 (7)
• Frank Wachausen, 55, of Nanuet: 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Assault Weapon, Penal Law 265.02 (7) and 1 count Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Penal Law 265.01-b(1)
• Fisnik Bajraktaraj, 35, of Congers, NY: 1 count Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd, Penal Law 265.03(3) and 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Assault Weapon, Penal Law 265.02 (7)
• Joseph Montenero, 30, of Congers: 1 count Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Assault Weapon, Penal Law 265.02 (7) and 1 count Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Penal Law 265.01-b(1)

“The indictments announced today are only the beginning of the continual pursuit from this office to remove illegal firearms off our streets. Rockland County must not and will not tolerate over 60 cases in the last 2 years of bullets flying throughout the air in our community," Walsh said. "The highly effective results of this operation would not have been possible without the participation of many highly trained law enforcement agencies. On behalf of the residents of Rockland County, I thank each and every one of them."

Participants in the investigation:

• Clarkstown Police Department
• Ramapo Police Department
• Town of Haverstraw Police
• Rockland County Sheriff’s Office
• Westchester County Police Department
• Homeland Security Investigations
• Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Unit
• Customs and Border Patrol
• United States Secret Service
• United States Postal Inspector
• Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
• Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives

The multi-agency investigation was overseen by the Special Investigative Unit of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Doreen Lloyd, Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicole Garcia and Senior Assistant District Attorney Graham Chapman.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.