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“This indictment sends a clear message that those who purchase and transport weapons illegally into our communities will be held accountable,” DA Katz said.
By Forum Staff
A borough grand jury has indicted a Richmond Hill man for allegedly purchasing a cache of high-capacity magazines, firearm components and ammunition at a gun show in Pennsylvania and
Bringing them back to New York—where all are illegal to possess, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday.
Police also allegedly recovered a stockpile of illegal guns, high-capacity magazines, silencers, and ammunition in the defendant’s 85th Drive home, Katz noted.
Richard McCormick, 42, was arraigned Thursday on a 120-count indictment charging him with attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third and fourth degree, manufacture, transport, disposition and defacement of weapons and dangerous instruments and appliances, criminal possession of a firearm, attempted criminal possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of pistol ammunition. McCormick was ordered to return to court on Oct. 29.
As alleged, on August 15, 2021, shortly after 10 a.m., the defendant was observed purchasing high-capacity magazines, firearm components and ammunition at the Oaks Gun Show in Pennsylvania, loading them into a Black 2021 Cadillac Escalade and then driving through New Jersey and into New York City via the George Washington Bridge. Shortly after entering New York City, the defendant was pulled over by members of the Port Authority Police Department who were assisting members of the New York State Police conducting the investigation.
According to the charges, police seized the following items from the vehicle:
- 45 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 knife
- 15 rounds of 12-gauge buckshot ammunition
- 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition
- 1 Billy Club
- 1 Expandable Baton
Katz said that during the stop, McCormick allegedly told police that everything in the car was his. He was bringing it to his home in Queens.
According to the indictment, a court-authorized search warrant was executed by the police to search McCormick’s home in Richmond Hill. At that location, law enforcement officers seized approximately $8,500 in cash and more weapons and ammunition.
In addition, the following items were allegedly recovered from McCormick’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 more than 10 rounds
- 4 firearm silencers
- A set of brass knuckles
- 2 switchblade knives
- 3 finished upper receivers for pistols
- 9,991 bullets for various calibers of weapons, including 9mm and .45 caliber firearms
- Numerous firearms-related components and parts for assembling or manufacturing pistols, rifles, and revolvers, and
- Mail and other items with the defendants’ names and the address of the location
“This indictment sends a clear message that those who purchase and transport weapons illegally into our communities will be held accountable,” Katz said. “We cannot allow weapons and gun violence to become the norm here in Queens County.”
If convicted, McCormick faces up to 20 years in prison.
