Prosecutors: Drug dealer was assembling untraceable weapons in Ronkonkoma hotel

Prosecutors say a drug dealer was assembling illegal weapons in a Ronkonkoma hotel room.

News 12 Staff

Sep 10, 2019, 7:26 PM

Updated 1,679 days ago

Share:

Prosecutors say a drug dealer was assembling illegal weapons in a Ronkonkoma hotel room.
Christopher Swanson is accused of buying gun parts without serial numbers on the internet, then assembling the guns in a hotel room.
Prosecutors say they seized a fully automatic pistol end and an assault rifle. Prosecutors call the firearms "ghost guns" because they are untraceable without serial numbers.
"They have no serial number, no registration number, and that's the whole point of these ghost guns," said Suffolk District Attorney Tim Sini. "You can purchase them and there's no record. There's no way for law enforcement to trace them."
The Sayville man was arrested in August when he parked a car that was reported stolen in a handicapped spot at the Clarion Hotel. Two police officers on patrol noticed the car and went into the hotel to investigate.
Prosecutors say when they got to Swanson's room, he opened the door and invited the officers in -- despite having the weapons in plain sight in the room.
Swanson, who has a prior felony drug conviction, was charged in an 14-count indictment Tuesday that includes weapons and drug charges. His attorney says his client's gun building isn't malicious -- he is a gun hobbyist.
"I think he's clearly a hobbyist and had a reasonable expectation of privacy in his hotel room," said attorney Charles Gleis. "He let them in because he clearly felt he was well within his rights to have what he had."
Sini says they also seized 890 bags of heroin from Swanson's hotel room. Two accomplices were also in the room. They have been identified as 39-year-old Marcella Brako, of Sayville, and 42-year-old Leon Janster, of St. James.
"This is a drug dealer. A drug dealer who was assembling ghost weapons," said Sini.
Sini commended the Suffolk police officers, Dan Teresky and Gina Lauricella, for their bravery.
Swanson was arraigned Tuesday and held on $250,000 bail.


More from News 12
1:45
West Islip H.S. student to face a judge over accusations of bringing gun, bullets to school

West Islip H.S. student to face a judge over accusations of bringing gun, bullets to school

1:15
Sunny with highs near 70 today; cooler, wet weather to end the week

Sunny with highs near 70 today; cooler, wet weather to end the week

0:30
Police: 23-year-old charged for scrawling antisemitic graffiti in East Meadow

Police: 23-year-old charged for scrawling antisemitic graffiti in East Meadow

0:40
More than 200 pizzerias on LI band together to raise money for fallen NYPD detective

More than 200 pizzerias on LI band together to raise money for fallen NYPD detective

2:05
‘Wastewater Olympics’ held today in East Rockaway ahead of Earth Day

‘Wastewater Olympics’ held today in East Rockaway ahead of Earth Day

1:50
Made on Long Island: Ronance Mouthwatering Morsels in Bellmore

Made on Long Island: Ronance Mouthwatering Morsels in Bellmore

2:23
State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

State budget makes no change to foundation school aid; governor signals changes coming in 2026

1:43
Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

Police: Several people hurt in Garden City bus crash

1:32
Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

Nassau Community College professors call on state to step in to help school survive

1:56
State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

State officials: More chemical drums could be buried beneath Bethpage baseball field

1:33
Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

Groundbreaking ceremony marks beginning of Jake's 58 Casino's $210M expansion project

1:32
Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Nassau residents deliver petition with more than 1,600 signatures against proposal to deputize residents

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

Police: Driver arrested for fatal Brentwood hit-and-run

0:26
Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

Police: Central Islip business cited for violation after State Liquor Authority investigation

1:39
Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Dogs up for adoption at Almost Home Animal Rescue

4:39
Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

Guide: Ways to help you identify and deal with work burnout

1:49
Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

Officials: Fire dispatcher's wife alerts him about blaze at their Centereach home

0:32
State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

State police: Trooper conducting traffic stop rear-ended on Meadowbrook State Parkway

0:24
Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured

Police: Car crashes onto guardrail, overturns on LIE in Brentwood; driver injured