SPD Firearms Investigation Unit Seizes Eight Illegal Firearms, including Two Ghost Guns and a Machine Gun
SPD Firearms Investigation Unit Seizes Eight Illegal Firearms, including Two Ghost Guns and a Machine Gun
FIU Detectives Seized 11 Illegal Firearms in a 30 Hour Span
Springfield, Mass. --- On Friday June 13th at approximately 1:45 p.m., members of the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) under the direction of Captain Joseph Dunn, Springfield Police C3 Metro Unit under the direction of Sergeant Elizer Vasquez, Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit West and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) arrested four suspects after executing two search warrants on Fort Pleasant Avenue.
For the past several months, Springfield Police Detectives assigned to the Firearms Investigation Unit have been investigating a drug distribution operation with 33-year-old Michael Pinkney as the target. Detectives applied for and were granted search warrants to two apartments on the 0-100 block of Fort Pleasant Avenue.
Around 1:15 p.m. Friday, FIU Detectives were conducting surveillance when they observed Pinkney go into an apartment. Detectives and law enforcement partners then converged on the area to execute the search warrants.
As Detectives and Officers approached, they observed Pinkney leaving the apartment and he was detained. Officers located approximately 90 bags of heroin on Pinkney, and he was placed under arrest.
In one apartment, law enforcement officers detained 28-year-old Mercedes Wright.
In the second apartment, law enforcement officers detained 26-year-old Stephanie Peluyera and a 17-year-old juvenile male.
During a search of the apartments, Detectives recovered eight illegal firearms and six additional firearm magazines. Detectives also recovered more than $2200 in cash, cocaine, a stun gun, more than 260 bags of heroin and more than 70 loose rounds of ammunition.
Of the firearms recovered, one was a Ghost Gun with a Glock Switch, making the firearm a fully automatic machine gun. It was loaded with 17 rounds of ammunition.
A second firearm was a rifle, capable of holding 40 rounds of ammunition.
The third firearm was loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition. The fourth firearm was capable of holding 12 rounds of ammunition and was reported stolen out of Pennsylvania.
The fifth firearm recovered, was a Ghost Gun loaded with 31 rounds of ammunition.
The sixth firearm was loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition and had a partially defaced serial number.
Of the six firearm magazines seized, one was a 50-round drum, one was a 30-round rifle magazine, and two more were capable of holding 15 rounds of ammunition.
On Thursday June 12th, members of the SPD Firearms Investigation Unit seized three additional firearms in unrelated investigations on Garland Street and after a traffic stop on Bay Street. In approximately 30 hours, in three separate investigations, FIU Detectives seized 11 illegal firearms.
Springfield Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers states, “What our Firearms Investigation Unit accomplished over two days is remarkable. The arsenal seized on Fort Pleasant Avenue included some weaponry that has no business being on our streets. I’d like to thank Captain Joseph Dunn, Lieutenant Jaime Bruno, Sergeant Evan Donermeyer and their team for these investigations that ultimately prevent further gun violence.”
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, ““Can’t say enough about our FIU unit - “they’re taking names and kicking ass” to take these gun toting, poison dealing, violent offenders off our streets and out of our neighborhoods. Stay safe, keep up the good work, and now we need the courts and some of our judges to back us is and keep these negative individuals held and locked up.”
33-year-old Michael Pinkney of Springfield is charged with:
- Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card (Seven Counts)
- Possession of a Machine Gun
- Possession of a Loaded Machine Gun
- Possession of a Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Three Counts)
- Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm during the Commission of a Felony (Five Counts)
- Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine/Feeding Device (Nine Counts)
- Firearm Violation with Two Prior Violent/Drug Crimes
- Receiving a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number
- Possession of a Firearm with a Defaced Serial Number
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
- Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Eight Counts)
- Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm (Four Counts)
- Receiving Stolen Property Less than $1200
- Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Class A Drug
- Conspiracy to Violate Drug Law
28-year-old Mercedes Wright of Northampton is charged with:
- Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card
- Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine/Feeding Device
- Firearm Violation with 1 Prior Violent/Drug Crime
- Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card
26-year-old Stephanie Peluyera of Springfield is charged with:
- Possession of a Class A Drug
- Possession of a Firearm without an FID Card (Stun Gun)
The name, booking photo and specific charges involving the 17-year-old juvenile will not be released due to his age.