Sweeping crackdown on central New York gun trafficking nets major arrests

May 3, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Short-barrel AM-15 rifle with extended magazine and Polymer80 ghost-gun pistol recovered by the investigation. Photos courtesy of NYS Attorney General’s Office

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New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a significant victory on Wednesday in the fight against illegal firearms with the dismantling of a major gun trafficking operation in Central New York.

The crackdown led to the indictment of four individuals charged with a total of 35 crimes, highlighting the ongoing challenge of ghost guns in the state.

The defendants, identified as Charles Baker, Jeremy Baker, Brian Lawson and John Leone, Jr., were implicated in a complex network that dealt extensively in ghost guns — unserialized and untraceable firearms that are often assembled from parts ordered online. These firearms pose a substantial challenge to law enforcement due to their lack of traceability and the ease with which they can be acquired.

“Untraceable ghost guns help empower criminals and are a threat to New Yorkers everywhere,” said Attorney General James. “This takedown is part of my office’s ongoing work with our partners in law enforcement to remove ghost guns from our streets and ensure the gun traffickers who threaten our communities see justice. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to stop the sale of illegal guns in our state and protect New Yorkers from gun violence.”

Taurus 9mm Luger pistol with high-capacity magazine and ammunition.

The investigation, which began in June 2022, was a joint effort between the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York State Police (NYSP) Community Stabilization Unit. It employed a range of tactics, including law enforcement subpoenas, covert surveillance, the use of undercover investigators and significant intelligence gathering.

The operation successfully recovered 31 firearms and receivers, including 18 ghost guns or parts used to make ghost guns, dozens of high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Among the seized weapons were nine Polymer80 and AR-15 style unfinished frames/receivers, nine unserialized and unregistered Polymer80 ghost-gun pistols, and an assortment of serialized but unregistered firearms.

Polymer80 9mm Luger pistols (ghost guns).

This operation is part of a broader strategy initiated following legislation enacted in 2021 to combat the sale and possession of unregistered and unserialized firearms, particularly ghost guns. These efforts are designed to close loopholes that have allowed ghost guns to proliferate in urban, suburban and rural areas alike.