Rockland Indicts Resident In NY's First Ghost Gun Manufacture Case

NEW CITY, NY — Following an investigation into “ghost guns” in Rockland County, a jury has indicted a Haverstraw man under a new subsection of New York criminal law designed specifically to combat the rising incidence of manufacture, sale and use of the untraceable weapons nationwide.

SEE:

• 'Ghost' Guns Found In Massive Rockland Weapons Probe
• 100+ Ghost Guns Seized In Putnam, Westchester
• 23-Year-Old Accused of Making, Selling Guns From Home

This is the first use of the law in New York State, said Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II.

A Rockland County jury handed up an indictment May 5 against George Lopez, 45. He had been arrested April 27 after a search warrant was executed at 64 Rosman Road in Haverstraw as part of an investigation into ghost gun parts sent through the mail.

Two loaded AR-15 rifles were recovered, neither of which had serial numbers on them. The search also uncovered a quantity of .223 and .308 caliber ammunition and loaded magazines, and many ghost gun parts. Six major components of uncompleted firearms were found in the apartment.

Lopez was indicted by a Rockland County Grand Jury on 12 charges:

• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for possessing two loaded firearms
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree for possessing two firearms while having a prior criminal conviction
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree for possessing two assault weapons
• Six counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree for possessing major components of firearms (ghost gun parts) while being prohibited from owning them due to prior criminal conduct

"The purchasing and possession of illegal firearms is an offense that my office takes very seriously. Today’s indictment should send a strong message to anyone who is thinking about purchasing illegal firearms or parts," Walsh said. "I would like to thank the Homeland Security Investigations, Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Task Force, Clarkstown Police Department, Haverstraw Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI for their assistance with this case."

The investigation of Lopez follows a law enforcement operation that involved four Rockland police departments, two other counties and six federal agencies. Four county residents were indicted for illegally possessing firearms including ghost guns. That operation 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 were ghost guns.