Four Arrested in “Ghost Gun” Crackdown in Rockland
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced the indictments of 4 Rockland residents for illegally possessing “ghost guns” or illegally possessed firearms. The operation also resulted in the seizure of 3 handguns and 10 assault rifles, all illegal to possess in New York State. These indictments were a direct result of a major multi-agency investigation, overseen by the Special Investigative Unit of the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.
The following individuals were indicted by a Rockland County Grand Jury:
Vandara Nguon, 34, of Pomona, NY
• 2 counts of: Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Assault Weapon, Penal Law 265.02 (7)
Frank Wachausen, 55, of Nanuet, NY
• 3 counts of: Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Assault Weapon, Penal Law 265.02 (7)
• 1 count Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Penal Law 265.01-b(1)
Fisnik Bajraktaraj, 35, of Congers, NY
• 1 count Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd, Penal Law 265.03(3)
• 2 counts of: Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Assault Weapon, Penal Law 265.02 (7)
Joseph Montenero, 30, of Congers, NY
• 1 count Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd – Assault Weapon, Penal Law 265.02 (7)
• 1 count Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Penal Law 265.01-b(1)
On February 16, 2022, a large-scale law enforcement operation, involving 12 local, county and federal agencies, executed 3 search warrants throughout Rockland County without incident. As a result of the operation a total of 13 illegal firearms were seized and 4 suspects taken into custody. Two of the recovered firearms did not contain a serial number and are commonly referred to as “ghost guns”. The suspects were arrested, processed and all firearms secured as evidence. This is an ongoing investigation.
Since January of 2020 to present day, Rockland County police agencies have investigated over 60 shootings/ shot fired calls within the borders of the county. In light of the these historically high violent acts happening in the community, an intensive investigation was conducted by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. Partnering up with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, FBI Safe Streets Unit, Westchester County Police Department, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the agencies collected and evaluated information to establish evidence of purchased ghost guns parts and possession of illegal firearms on the above listed individuals.
The following Law Enforcement Agencies were participants in the operation:
Clarkstown Police Department
Town of Ramapo Police Department
Haverstraw Police Department
Rockland County Sheriff’s Office
Westchester County Police Department
Homeland Security Investigations
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Unit and Border Patrol
United States Secret Service
United States Postal Inspector
Putnam County Sheriff’s Department
Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives
“The indictments announced today are only the beginning of the continual pursuit from this office to remove illegal firearms off our streets. Rockland County must not and will not tolerate over 60 cases in the last 2 years of bullets flying throughout the air in our community. The highly effective results of this operation would not have been possible without the participation of many highly trained law enforcement agencies. On behalf of the residents of Rockland County, I thank each and every one of them.” said District Attorney Tom Walsh.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel said: “Anytime an illegally owned gun is removed from the street, it undoubtedly makes our communities safer. Today’s indictment of four defendants was part of a large-scale, joint investigation that also resulted in the seizure of a cache of weapons, including 13 guns, 10 of which were assault rifles. It is vital that law enforcement utilizes every tool in our arsenal to bring to justice those who attempt to circumvent the law by acquiring illegally owned weapons, especially those without serial numbers, commonly known as ‘Ghost Guns.’ The relationship forged between HSI New York and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office has been critical in stemming the flow of illegally owned weapons in Rockland County and ensuring that ‘Ghost Guns’ are removed from the streets along with the criminals who possess them.”
This case is being prosecuted by Executive Assistant District Attorney Doreen Lloyd, Senior Assistant District Attorney Nicole Garcia and Senior Assistant District Attorney Graham Chapman.
It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
