Clarkstown, NY – Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced the arrest of two individuals following an investigation into illegal firearms in Rockland County. The investigation began in May when the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office received information about an illegal firearm component being shipped to Nanuet, NY.
Detectives from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit, cross-sworn as Federal Task Force Officers with the United States Department of Homeland Security, initiated the investigation. They collaborated with Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the US Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York. The investigation revealed numerous illegal firearm parts shipped to a residence in Nanuet, NY, where Vivian Wu and Tao Zhang, a convicted felon from 2015, reside.
On July 2, a search warrant was executed at the Nanuet home. The operation involved the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, New York Special Response Team, United States Postal Inspections Services, Clarkstown Police Department, New York State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The search uncovered two loaded and un-serialized semi-automatic handguns, three high-capacity magazines, five major firearm components, and numerous un-serialized ghost gun parts. These items were accessible to two children, ages 7 and 9, living in the home.
Tao Zhang, 35, of Nanuet, NY, was charged with multiple counts including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees, possession of high-capacity magazines, major firearm components, ghost gun parts, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Vivian Wu, 35, of Nanuet, NY, faced similar charges, including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees, possession of high-capacity magazines, ghost gun parts, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
