YORKVILLE, N.Y. — A months-long investigation by the Utica Police Department into the origin of “ghost guns” has led to the seizure of multiple firearms and the arrest of two individuals in the Village of Yorkville.

The investigation, conducted by the department’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Unit, began after officers noticed that several ghost guns seized during various investigations had similar markings on the lower half of the weapons, suggesting they were manufactured and distributed by the same person.

On August 30, a search warrant was executed at a residence located at 918 Champlain Avenue, where authorities discovered a cache of illegal firearms and related items.

Among the items seized were seven fully completed handguns, an AR-15 assault rifle, a homemade sawed-off shotgun, four high-capacity magazines including a 3D-printed drum magazine, 17 ghost gun lowers, a 3D printer, and an inert hand grenade.

Additionally, assorted live ammunition and various gun accessories, such as lasers, stocks, and internal components, were found at the scene.

Two residents of the home, Triston Deeb, 20, and Angelyse Richards, 19, were taken into custody. Deeb faces multiple charges, including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the second degree for possessing five or more firearms, and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the third degree for possessing a large-capacity feeding device. He was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the third degree for possessing a defaced firearm.

Richards was charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm.

The Utica Police Department’s investigation is ongoing as they work to uncover the full extent of the operation.

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