Paul Carey was allegedly in possession of 30 firearms, including so-called “ghost gun” assault weapons
MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced a Massapequa dentist was arraigned today on a seventy-three-count indictment for allegedly possessing more than 30 firearms – including 16 alleged “ghost gun” assault weapons – and various gun paraphernalia, including high-capacity magazines and thousands of rounds of ammunition, found in multiple searches of his home in February 2022.
Paul Carey, 62, was arraigned today before Judge Robert Schwartz on charges including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree (a B violent felony); eighteen counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); thirty-six counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D violent felony); and eighteen counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (an E felony). The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was continued at $100,000 bond, $50,000 cash, and $500,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court on August 11, 2022. If convicted of the top charge, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.
“The surge we have seen in illegal and untraceable weapons into Nassau County since the new year is unlike anything I have experience in my more than thirty years as a prosecutor,” said DA Donnelly. “This defendant’s alleged arsenal of assault weapons, ammunition, and even machinery to mill further ‘ghost guns,’ is truly shocking, and the source of the stockpile – inside of a home that also functions as a dental practice – is disturbing. The dedicated team of prosecutors in my Firearms Suppression and Intelligence Unit will continue to pursue these cases, find the suppliers of these dangerous weapons, and stop them from entering our county.”
DA Donnelly said, according to the charges, on February 16, 2022, police allegedly received a call from an employee at the defendant’s dental practice stating that Carey was in possession of a firearm at the office, located inside of his Massapequa home, and that she feared for her safety.
When police arrived, Carey allegedly refused to exit the home. The defendant’s wife was able to convince him over the telephone to exit, and Carey was placed under arrest and taken to Nassau University Medical Center for a medical evaluation.
Police officers executed a search on the home with written consent from Carey’s wife and recovered 30 firearms – 20 of which violated the state’s New York Safe Act and are considered assault weapons. Sixteen of the 20 assault weapons were alleged “ghost guns,” bearing no serial number.
Police also recovered 61 high-capacity magazines, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and seven silencers.
On February 18, 2022, police received another call from someone who identified themselves as a neighbor of the defendant and said that Carey had allegedly received a delivery of a large package, which was sitting outside of his home.
After obtaining a search warrant for the package and Carey’s residence, police recovered a package containing a 5” x 19” drill that is typically used in the assembly of ghost guns. Police also recovered a Remington shotgun; various rifles and handgun magazines; rifle/laser sights; various ghost gun parts; high-capacity magazines; and rifle bayonets.
From January 1 to July 6, 2022, approximately 201 weapons have been seized in Nassau County. In the same time period last year, approximately 144 weapons were seized.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Matthew Laube, of the Narcotics, Firearms and Gangs Bureau. Carey is represented by John Carman, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
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