WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The Luzerne County District Attorney's office was joined by local and federal law enforcement agencies to announce the arrest of Jose Rodriguez of Wilkes-Barre on gun possession charges.
On March 2nd, investigators say a person noticed some 3D-printed materials in a dumpster in Plains Township and called the police.
D.A. Sam Sanguedolce says it was a multi-department effort to track it back to Rodriguez.
"We executed a search warrant on a residence on George Avenue in Wilkes Barre, and then they were able to uncover all of this evidence that you see here, which is the beginnings of the makings of a ghost gun, actually multiple ghost guns," said Sanguedolce.
Police uncovered over twenty ghost guns and the makings of a small device that can be attached to a handgun, converting it to a fully automatic weapon.
Rodriguez had a record and wasn't legally permitted to have guns.
ATF Special Agent Joseph Price says ghost guns are a growing problem with felons, and it's important to find the person who is making the guns to prevent violence.
"Looking at right there, six firing lowers, and then six guns could have been put together pretty easily, and then six guns would've been on the street without serial numbers," Price said.
"They can get into the hands of people without going through the proper channels, a Background Check, and also they're unserialized, so they're untraceable to a large extent unless you get the ballistics for all of them," Sanguedolce said.
Officials credit the person who saw something suspicious and reported it to police.
"I wish I could thank them right now personally. Without that person calling, we would not be standing here today," Price said.
Rodriguez was denied bail and remains locked up in the Luzerne County Prison.