NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- A man identified as an NYC Transit subway inspector has been arrested for allegedly ordering parts to make “ghost guns.”
For the past seven years, Domingo Valle purchased gun parts, tools and accessories online that allow someone to put together a firearm, according to authorities. Officials said this occurred more than 50 times
On Monday, NYPD and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agents recovered a pistol and ammo from Valle’s Bronx home.
Inside, agents found two “privately made” AR-style rifles, three pistols, body armor loaded with ammo magazines and several bullets.
Authorities said Valle stored three of the firearms in a concealed wall-mounted shelf in an effort to hide them.
“Valle purchased firearm tools, parts, and accessories online in order to create privately manufactured firearms, also known as ‘ghost guns,’ which are difficult to detect and trace,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss. “Thanks to the ATF and NYPD, these dangerous weapons are out of the hands of a felon and will no longer pose a threat to the community.”
Federal officials said Valle was banned from owning firearms following a 1991 conviction for possession of a loaded firearm.
Officials pointed to Valle buying a part for an “Easy Jig,” which someone can use to create an assembled firearm from component parts like an 80% AR-15 lower receiver — later that year, Valle bought an 80% AR-15 lower receiver.
Valle, 51, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammo, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years.
According to the New York Daily News, Valle resigned from his job Wednesday, according to an MTA spokesman.