BRONX MAN INDICTED ON 146 COUNTS FOR SELLING 18 FIREARMS

Defendant Sold Weapons to Undercover Officer; Sales Recorded on Video 

  Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted on 146 counts involving a gun dealing operation that sold dozens of firearms, including a semi-automatic rifle, to an undercover cop in the Bronx. 

 District Attorney Clark said, “A months-long investigation uncovered the defendant’s alleged actions, which attempted to contribute to the illegal guns on the streets of the Bronx. Each gun intercepted is a life saved and we will vigorously prosecute anyone who promotes danger in our community.” 

 District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jorge Pichardo, 29, of East Clarke Place, was indicted on 146 various counts, with the top charge of first-degree Criminal Sale of a Firearm. He was also indicted on: three counts of second-degree Criminal Sale of a Firearm; 15 counts of second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon; 17 counts each of Criminal Possession of a Firearm and fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon; 18 counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon; 16 counts of Disposition of Ammunition; 40 counts of third-degree Criminal Sale of a Firearm; four counts of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the third-degree; seven counts of third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon; two counts of seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and one count each of Unlawful Possession of a Loaded Rifle or Shotgun; third, fourth and fifth-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance; Resisting Arrest and second-degree Obstructing Governmental Administration.

 The defendant was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice William Mogulescu and is due back in court on May 29th, 2018. If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to 25 years in prison with possible consecutive sentences for additional charges.

 According to the investigation, from July 5, 2017 to January 16, 2018, the defendant allegedly sold eighteen firearms, sixteen of which were operable, to an undercover officer during a long-term investigation into gun violence. One of the weapons sold is a Norinco SKS semi-automatic rifle.

 He was arrested on January 17, 2018 after being found with over eight grams of cocaine.

 District Attorney Clark thanked NYPD Detectives Christopher Shaughnessy and Douglas Lansing, formerly of the NYPD Firearms Investigation Unit, and currently assigned to the NYPD-DEA Drug Enforcement Task Force.