FRANKLIN BOROUGH, NJ — A Hardyston man faces multiple weapons charges following an investigation into the unlawful possession of firearms.
Austin Babcock, 29, of Hardyston, was arrested on March 30, 2026, according to Franklin Borough Police.
Sgt. William Grissom and Patrol Officer Brendan Prol received information from a victim within Franklin Borough that Babcock was allegedly in possession of a rifle and a handgun with a high-capacity magazine and had threatened to harm her.
With assistance from Franklin Borough Detectives Dsg. David Schneider and Det. Zachary LaGrave, as well as the Hardyston Police Department and New Jersey State Police, an investigation revealed that Babcock was in possession of a long rifle with identifying serial numbers defaced from the weapon, a semi-automatic handgun, hollow point ammunition and high-capacity magazines in Franklin Borough and within a residence in Sussex Borough.
Babcock was charged with defacement of weapons, possession of prohibited weapons, possession of weapons for an unlawful purpose, certain persons not to possess firearms, certain persons not to possess ammunition, certain persons not to possess firearms prior conviction and certain persons not to possess ammunition prior conviction.
He was issued a complaint warrant and transferred to the custody of the Sussex County Sheriff’s Department and lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending his appearance in Sussex County Superior Court in accordance with the New Jersey Bail Reform Act.
