NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A deputy mayor in Rockland County has been charged for allegedly hoarding a cache of unregistered firearms and fake government identifications.
Brian Downey, 47, of Airmont, New York, was arrested Thursday after he had purchased an illegal rifle suppressor online, authorities said. The Department of Homeland Security tipped off the Rockland County District Attorney’s office on the order and issued a search warrant that lead to his arrest, according to Rockland DA Tom Walsh.
Investigators executing the search warrant found 16 assault weapons, another 13 firearm silencers and a wide assortment of fake federal and state identifications and badges — including FBI and New York court officer identifications, according to Walsh’s office.
“Anyone who takes an oath of office to serve the public and is entrusted to by their community to serve its constituents should have integrity beyond reproach,” Walsh said in a statement.
“This fluid investigation involving the Rockland County District Attorney’s office and our Federal partners...has resulted in the arrest of a public official who violated that oath of office and betrayed the trust of the public whom he swore to serve," Walsh added.
Photos shared by Walsh’s office show rifles mounted on walls, resting on floor racks and others collecting in bins at Downey’s residence, according to prosecutors.
Downey was charged in federal court on Friday and faces more than two dozen counts of criminal possession of a weapon as well multiple counts for possession of a forged instrument. He is being held on $250,000 bail.
An investigation of Downey is ongoing, according to the DA.