MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH) – Meriden and Middletown police joined forces and have arrested a suspect for allegedly manufacturing “ghost guns” in both cities.
During the month of June, Meriden and Middletown police crime units initiated an investigation into illegal firearms sales in each city. These firearms did not have serial numbers stamped on them, which classified them as illegal and very dangerous “ghost guns”.
Police said they discovered that Jonathan Willette, from Meriden, was behind the manufacturing and sales of these weapons according to official statements.
A search warrant on Willette’s home on Curtis Street found he had 13 illegal firearms, many of which did not have serial numbers and had been converted into fully automatic weapons. Police believe this indicated Willette’s connection to the manufacturing operation. Police said a child was present in the home during the search warrant service.
Investigators said they also found several drill presses, firearm molds, drilling bits, a large number of firearm parts, and a large amount of fully loaded, high capacity, firearm magazines.
Finally, they located several drum magazines capable of holding 40-50 rounds of ammunition and said Willette was also in possession of two different types of body armor. Willette is a convicted felon which prohibits him from possessing, selling, or owning any type of firearm as well as having body armor.
“Five of these have been modified to be fully functional machine guns so I think that’s a way that you guys can equate how that looks. The rate of fire that can be done when these weapons are modified is very concerning,” said Det. Lt. Shane Phillips of the Meriden Police Department.
After being arrested by police, Willette is being charged with the following: five counts of possession of an assault weapon, eight counts of illegally manufacturing firearms, 13 counts of criminal possession of a firearm, six counts of possession of high capacity magazines, five counts of criminal possession of ammunition, two counts of possession of body armor by a convicted felon, illegal possession of a silencer, weapons in a motor vehicle, interfering with police, risk of injury to a minor, and reckless endangerment in the second degree.
“We prevented these ghost guns from landing into the wrong hands of individuals with bad intentions,” said Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado.
Wilette has been transported to police headquarters where he has been charged and is being held on a $2,000,000 bond. Willette will appear in court on Friday for these charges, officials said.