NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Manhattan officials on Tuesday announced the indictment of a 47-year-old man for manufacturing multiple ghost guns, including assault weapons, in his Lower East Side apartment.
Jose Rivera is charged with with six counts of criminal possession of a Weapon, one count of an attempt to commit the crime of criminal possession of a weapon, 12 counts of criminal possession of a weapon, five counts of criminal possession of a firearm, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of unlawful possession of Ammunition.
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“The allegations in this case once again make clear how easy it is for anyone to assemble a semi-automatic weapon in their own home,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Thanks to the work of our prosecutors and the hardworking detectives at the NYPD, we have prevented these firearms from hitting our streets and causing harm to New Yorkers.”
Rivera purchased at least 55 ghost gun parts worth over $7,000, including the “Ghost Gunner 3,” a fully-automated machine that can be used to manufacture ghost guns with the touch of a button, authorities said.
According to court documents, between October 2016 and May 2022, Rivera purchased at least 55 ghost gun components, many of which were sent to Pennsylvania because they are illegal under the New York SAFE Act.
On September 22, the NYPD and New York State Police executed a search warrant at Rivera’s Lower East Side apartment and recovered six fully assembled ghost guns, three of which were loaded with high-capacity magazines.
Rivera made two of those guns into assault weapons, including an AR-15 style rifle, officials said.
Approximately 200 rounds of ammunition and five major components were also recovered.
Some of the firearms appeared to have been manufactured using the Ghost Gunner-3 machine from raw blocks of aluminum authorites added.
Police also noted that two of the firearms were easily accessible to the two and three-year-old children living in the apartment, and were not locked or safely stored.
Rivera was not allowed to possess any legal firearms due to a prior felony conviction.
“Once again, strong law enforcement partnerships have disrupted another illegal gun manufacturing operation," New York State Police First Deputy Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said. "The indictment of Jose Rivera will not only keep dangerous weapons off our streets but will also disrupt the cycle of criminal activities that they produce. We will continue to make it a priority to find and dismantle these illicit endeavors to make New York state a safer place.”
To date, the Ghost Guns Initiative established by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the NYPD and other law enforcement partners has prosecuted cases involving the seizure of over 79 ghost gun parts, 28 fully assembled ghost guns, 23 serialized firearms, 420 high-capacity magazines, 45 silencers, and other gear including scopes and rapid-fire modification devices.
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