NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A Rhode Island man was arrested and charged Thursday with allegedly trying to traffic dozens of illegal “ghost guns” in parts of New York City.
Robert Alcantara, 34, of Providence, was charged with conspiracy to traffic firearms and making false statements.
From September 2019 up to November 2021, Alcantara allegedly purchased parts for more than 100 ghosts and manufactured the firearms at his home in Rhode Island. He then sold the illegal guns to a group of criminals, according to prosecutors.
“Untraceable ‘ghost guns’ pose a serious threat to public safety,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “As alleged, the defendant agreed with others to buy the parts for these firearms, put them together at his home, and then unlawfully sold or attempted to sell over 100 of them. Thanks to our law enforcement partners, the defendant has been arrested, and his deadly ghost gun business has been shut down.”
Authorities caught up with Alcantara on Nov. 20, 2021, when they recovered parts for 45 ghost guns from his vehicle.
When interviewed by officers, however, Alcantara allegedly made false statements, telling them he had never sold or transferred ownership of a firearm to any other individual.
He allegedly also told officers he had never transported a gun to the Dominican Republic, which prosecutors claim he did.
“Stopping the flow of these firearms is a top priority of [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)], and we will rigorously pursue those who illegally sell these firearms,” said Special Agent in Charge John B. DeVito of ATF New York.
Ghost guns are homemade firearms that lack commercial serial numbers, making them nearly impossible to trace.
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