One adult and two minors were arrested in New York City following the recovery of privately made firearms inside a daycare facility in Manhattan. Rebecca Weiner, Deputy Commissioner of the New York Police Department’s intelligence and counterterrorism bureau, said during a press conference on Wednesday that the three people were arrested after the discovery and “recovery of multiple 3D printed firearms.”
The arrests came from a previously ongoing investigation that began with “a group of individuals, including some minors, who were purchasing ghost gun parts from online retailers, as well as materials and filaments required to print 3D firearm components.” The investigation led NYPD to execute two search warrants on Tuesday, and ultimately led them to 18-year-old Karon Jamal Coley, whose mother owns and operates a “licensed daycare” center out of their home in the city’s 25th precinct. Deputy Commissioner Weiner said: “Inside this daycare facility, investigators recovered a 3D printer, 3D printing tools and plastic filament, two completed 3D printed firearms, one 3D printed assault pistol in the final stages of assembly and one additional 3D printed lower receiver. Mr. Coley was arrested.” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said during the press conference that Coley was arraigned Wednesday on charges including possession of illegal firearms, manufacturing of an assault weapon and reckless endangerment.
Weiner called Tuesday’s arrests “part of a larger trend into what’s become a global problem, namely the manufacture and sale of privately made firearms, or PMFs, which include ghost guns and 3D printed firearms. When made well, ghost guns and 3D printed firearms operate just like commercial firearms. In the hands of teenagers, they can inflict just as much violence.”
Christina Chang, Executive Deputy Commissioner and Chief Program Officer with the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, confirmed that the daycare was last inspected in February. A few violations were found regarding feeding schedules and some parental preferences, but all the issues were addressed.
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