Photo Courtesy of DA Katz
Police allegedly seized a cache of illegal firearms from McCormick’s Richmond Hill home, along with 9,991 bullets, four gun silencers and other illegal firearm parts.
By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday that Richard McCormick, 42, is charged in a 117-count criminal complaint for allegedly purchasing a cache of high-capacity magazines, firearm components and ammunition at a gun show in Pennsylvania and driving to New York—where all are illegal to possess. Police also allegedly recovered a stockpile of illegal guns, high-capacity magazines, silencers, and ammunition in the defendant’s Richmond Hill home.
McCormick was arraigned last week on a complaint charging with criminal possession of a weapon in the second, third and fourth degree, criminal possession of a firearm, make- transport-dispose-deface weapons and dangerous instruments and unlawful possession of pistol or revolver ammunition. McCormick was remanded and his court date set for Aug. 20.
According to the charges, on Aug. 15, shortly after 10 a.m., the defendant was allegedly observed in Pennsylvania attending the Oaks Gun Show. McCormick allegedly purchased numerous high- capacity magazines, firearm components and ammunition and loaded the items into a Cadillac vehicle. McCormick then drove through New Jersey and crossed the George Washington Bridge into New York City.
Shortly after entering New York City, the defendant was pulled over by members of the Port Authority Police Department.
Cops allegedly seized the following items from the vehicle:
- 44 high-capacity magazines
- An upper slide and barrel for a 9mm pistol
- A trigger assembly
- 15 rounds of 12-gauge slug ammunition
- 1,000 rounds of 7.62 rifle ammunition
- A hook knife and switchblade
- 15 rounds of 12-gauge buckshot ammunition
- 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition
During the stop, said the DA, McCormick allegedly told police that everything in the car was his. He was bringing it home and he lives in Queens.
Continuing, according to the complaint, police executed a court-authorized warrant to search McCormick’s 85th Drive home. Law enforcement seized $8,500 in cash and more weapons and ammunition allegedly from McCormick’s residence.
The following items were allegedly recovered from the defendant’s residence:
- A package containing all parts needed to assemble a 9mm SCCY pistol
- Parts needed to assemble a polymer80 .45 caliber ACP pistol
- The parts to assemble a 9mm semi-automatic pistol
- 5 high-capacity magazines capable of holding in excess of 10 rounds
- 4 firearm silencers
- A set of brass knuckles
- 2 switchblades
- 3 finished upper receivers for pistols
- 9,991 bullets for various calibers of weapons, including 9mm and .45 caliber firearms
District Attorney Katz said, “The scourge of illegal guns in our City has caused bloodshed and heartache. This defendant is accused of taking advantage of the easy access to guns outside of our state in order to bring them into our communities. This is an all-time, too-often issue in our City. We will now seek to bring this defendant to justice for his alleged crimes.”
If convicted, McCormick faces up to 20 years in prison.
DA Katz noted that the investigation was conducted by Investigator Jason Robles, of the DA’s Detective Squad, Investigators Al Vasquez and Christian Spears of the New York State Police and Senior Investigator MK Fagan of the New York State Police. Also assisting with the investigation is Assistant District Attorney ShanonLaCorte, of the District Attorney’s Crimes Strategies Unit.
