Man arrested on ghost gun charges in Dartmouth

DARTMOUTH, MA — A Dartmouth man was arrested Saturday after police seized two unserialized AR-15 style rifles, a 3D printer and ammunition from his home.

Officers from the Dartmouth Police Department responded to 5 Sabrinas Way at approximately 4:16 p.m. Saturday for a reported disturbance in progress.

While investigating the disturbance, officers developed information indicating that a resident may be in possession of illegal firearms and equipment used to manufacture untraceable firearms, commonly referred to as “ghost guns.”

Dartmouth Police detectives assigned to the Community Impact Unit were notified and assumed responsibility for the investigation.

Detectives learned that Brendan Smith, 43, of Dartmouth, does not have a License to Carry firearms in Massachusetts and is prohibited from obtaining one.

Detective Matthew Correia applied for and was granted a search warrant for the residence.

Execution of the search warrant resulted in the recovery of two AR-15 style rifles with no serial numbers, one AR-15 style magazine capable of holding thirty rounds, one AR-15 style magazine capable of holding ten rounds, multiple rounds of ammunition of various calibers, three 9mm magazines, miscellaneous firearms parts and accessories, one 3D printer used to manufacture firearm parts and accessories, two USB drives suspected of containing programming software used to manufacture firearm parts and accessories, and one drill press used to manufacture firearm parts and accessories.

Smith was charged with possession of a firearm, rifle, shotgun at home, two counts; possession of untraceable firearm, two counts; assault weapon, unlicensed sell/possess, two counts; firearm, possess large capacity, two counts; firearm, store improper, two counts; possess large capacity feeding device; ammunition without FID card, possess; and 3D printer violations.

The investigation remains ongoing.