Four from Queens Charged for Ghost Gun “Arsenal”

Adam Devine

NEW YORK, NY – Four suspects have been charged in Queens for what police are saying was for possession of a ghost gun “arsenal”. Ghost guns are firearms that are intentionally untraceable by police and law enforcement authorities when used in a crime.

According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the suspects had an arsenal of 27 “ghost” guns, assault weapons, firearm accessories, thousands of rounds of ammunition and other items recovered during four early morning raids this week.

Arrested were Andrew Chang, Kai Zhao, Michael Frankenfeld and Seongwoo Chung who were charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal sale of a firearm and other crimes after caches of illegal weapons were allegedly found in their homes.

District Attorney Katz said, “We must get the guns off our streets. We must stop the illegal production of dangerous firearms that is happening in homes throughout our neighborhoods. Using myriad investigative tools and working closely with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue those who bring these illegal, deadly weapons into our communities. I want to thank the NYPD’s Major Case Field Intelligence Team and the QDA Detective’s Bureau for their dedication in keeping the residents of Queens safe from gun violence.”


Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said, “This case, and the dozens of guns, component parts, and ammunition seized as part of it, show once again that the proliferation of illegal ghost guns is not a passing fad but a continuing scourge against our citizens, our City, our way of life. These guns, often ordered online and shipped to New York City, shoot real bullets that victimize New Yorkers. But our joint, intelligence-driven focus on interrupting the supply chains for these weapons, and keeping them from hitting the streets, is intensifying thanks to the strong partnership between the NYPD, our Major Case Field Intelligence Team, and the office of the Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and her prosecutors who remain relentless in pursuing these important investigations and ensuring safety for all.”

According to a report released by D.A. Katz’s office, “Following a long-term investigation that utilized various surveillance techniques and intelligence gathering and state-of-the-art data analytics, the NYPD’s Major Case Field Intelligence Team along with members of the Queens District Attorney’s Detective Bureau executed Court-authorized search warrants on four residences early Tuesday morning. The investigation, led by District Attorney Katz’s Crime Strategies and Intelligence Unit, focused on individuals who were purchasing polymer-based firearm components – parts that do not include any serial numbers – that can be easily assembled into operable firearms. These weapons known as “Ghost Guns” are untraceable, easy to acquire and assemble and circumvent any and all background check requirements.”

Defendants Chang, Zhao, Frankenfeld and Chung were arraigned on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 on three separate complaints in Queens Criminal Court charging them with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal sale of a firearm, the unlawful possession of unfinished frames or receivers and other related crimes. If convicted, defendants Chang and Chung face up to 15 years in prison. Defendants Frankenfeld and Zhao face up to 25 years in prison, if convicted. (See Addendum for further details on each defendant).

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