White Plains man arrested in multi-agency sweep unveiling ghost gun operation
In a coordinated effort involving various law enforcement agencies, a significant breakthrough was made in the battle against illicit firearms as a White Plains resident faced multiple felony charges in connection with a clandestine ghost gun enterprise.
Robert T. Hennes III, 38, residing on Martine Avenue, White Plains, was apprehended on Friday following an intensive investigation spearheaded by the Westchester County Police Narcotics Unit.
The operation, supported by the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation Westchester Safe Streets Task Force, United States Postal Inspection Service, Westchester County Police Forensic Investigations Unit, and Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, culminated in a decisive raid on March 15.
During the execution of a search warrant at Hennes’ residence, law enforcement officers unearthed a cache of weaponry including four fully assembled ghost guns complete with magazines, a loaded North American Arms Companion revolver, four non-serialized/unfinished frames, and a 3D printer actively engaged in the production of ghost gun frames.
Hennes was promptly taken into custody and transported to County Police headquarters in Hawthorne. He now faces charges including two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree.
Following his arraignment at White Plains City Court, Hennes was remanded to the Westchester County Jail pending further legal proceedings, under the watchful eye of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
Expressing gratitude for the collaborative efforts of the involved agencies, Public Safety Commissioner Terrance Raynor underscored the importance of such joint operations in combating the proliferation of illegal firearms.
He further acknowledged the crucial support rendered by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Queens District Attorney’s Office Crime Strategies & Intelligence Bureau in ensuring the success of the operation.