A Richmond Hill man was indicted by a Queens grand jury for transporting guns and ammunition into New York after a Pennsylvania gun show purchase.
Richard McCormick, 42, of 85th Drive, was arraigned Friday, Oct. 1, before Queens Supreme Court Justice Toni Cimino on a 120-count indictment after he allegedly purchased a cache of high-capacity magazines, firearm components and ammunition and drove to New York, where all are illegal to possess, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Police also allegedly recovered a stockpile of illegal guns, high-capacity magazines, silencers and ammo in the defendant’s Richmond Hill home.
As alleged, on the morning of Aug. 15, McCormick was allegedly observed in Pennsylvania attending the Oaks Gun Show, where he allegedly purchased numerous high-capacity magazines, firearm components and ammunition, and loaded the items into a black 2021 Cadillac Escalade.
The defendant then drove through New Jersey and crossed the George Washington Bridge into New York City where he was pulled over by members of the Port Authority Police Department, who were assisting members of the New York State Police, and seized the stockpile.
Police executed a court-ordered search warrant and allegedly recovered $8,500 in cash and a stockpile of illegal guns, high-capacity magazines, silencers and nearly 10,000 bullets for various calibers of weapons, including 9mm and .45-caliber firearms in the defendant’s Richmond Hill home on 85th Drive, according to the charges.
“The proliferation of shootings in our city has caused grief and heartache,” Katz said. “This indictment sends a clear message that those who purchase and transport weapons illegally into our communities will be held accountable. We can not allow weapons and gun violence to become the norm here in Queens County.”
Justice Cimino ordered McCormick to return to court on Oct. 29. If convicted, McCormick faces up to 20 years in prison.
