Bronx Man Who Possessed Five “Ghost Guns” Charged With Possessing A Firearm And Ammunition

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, John B. DeVito, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), and Dermot Shea, Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced the arrest of DOMINGO VALLE for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  VALLE was arrested yesterday and was presented in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Katharine H. Parker today.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “Domingo Valle, despite being a felon, allegedly possessed six firearms, including two privately made AR-style rifles and three privately made pistols, and ammunition.  As alleged, for years, 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.  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.”

ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito said: “Privately manufactured firearms (PMFs) are an increasing source of weapons for criminals and pose an emerging threat to public safety.  ATF will continue to partner with NYPD and other agencies to identify, rigorously investigate, and apprehend those involved in the illegal manufacture and possession of firearms that endanger our communities.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint[1]:

For at least the past seven years, at least over 50 times, VALLE purchased online firearm parts, tools, and accessories that allow an individual to assemble a working firearm from component parts.  For example, in 2020, VALLE purchased online a replacement part for an Easy Jig, which an individual can use to create an assembled firearm from component parts, such as an 80% AR-15 lower receiver.  That same year, VALLE purchased online an 80% AR-15 lower receiver.

On October 4, 2021, agents from the ATF and NYPD recovered a pistol and five rounds of ammunition from VALLE’s residence in the Bronx, New York.  Inside the residence, agents also found two privately made AR-style rifles, three privately made pistols, body armor, which was loaded with rifle and pistol magazines, and numerous bullets.  In an effort to conceal the firearms, VALLE stored three of the privately made firearms in a concealed wall-mounted shelf in the residence. 

VALLE, 51, of Bronx, New York, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.  The maximum potential sentence in this case is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.  

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the ATF and the NYPD.  Ms. Strauss also thanked the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for its assistance in the investigation.

The charge contained in the Complaint is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.