CITYWIDE — NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA James and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced on Wednesday a 71-count indictment against Lawrence Destefano, the Orlando-based owner of gun retailer Indie Guns, accused of illegally shipping firearms, ghost guns and high-capacity magazines into New York, including Brooklyn.
According to the release, Destefano sold approximately 12 serialized firearms, one ghost gun kit, numerous high-capacity magazines and over 1,300 rounds of ammunition to an undercover police officer between January and May 2025. Another package, which was shipped to Brooklyn and intercepted by the United States Postal Inspection Service, contained 100 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition and a high-capacity magazine.
Prosecutors say Destefano used encrypted messaging and deceptive shipping tactics to evade detection. If convicted on the top charges, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
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