Dartmouth man arrested on 8 gun related charges after 4 firearms, 3 magazines, ammunition among items seized

A local man is facing a list of firearm charges after several guns, ammo, and magazines were seized.

According to police, on Saturday, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Officers from the Dartmouth Police Department responded to Sabrinas Way in Dartmouth for a reported disturbance in progress.

While investigating the disturbance, officers developed information indicating that a resident, identified as 43-year-old Brendan Smith, 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 of the investigation. Detectives learned that Smith does not have a License to Carry firearms in Massachusetts and is prohibited from obtaining one. Based on the information obtained, Detective Matthew Correia applied for and was subsequently granted a search warrant for the residence at Sabrinas Way.

Execution of the search warrant resulted in the recovery of the following items:

· Two AR-15 style rifles with no serial numbers

· One AR-15 style magazine capable of holding thirty rounds (large capacity)

· 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

· One drill press used to manufacture firearm parts and accessories

Smith was later placed under arrest and charged with the following:

1. Possession of a firearm, rifle, shotgun at home, two counts

2. Possession of untraceable firearm (no serial number), two counts

3. Assault weapon, unlicensed sell/possess, two counts

4. Firearm, possess large capacity, two counts

5. Firearm, store improper, two counts

6. Possess large capacity feeding device

7. Ammunition without FID card, possess

8. 3D printer violations

Dartmouth Chief of police Brain P. Levesque commented on the arrest and investigation, stating:

“I commend the officers and detectives who responded swiftly to the disturbance, and uncovered evidence of illegal firearms manufacturing. The seizure of two unserialized AR-15 style rifles, high-capacity magazines, ammunition, a 3D printer, USB drives with suspected firearm design files, and related equipment underscores our commitment to removing dangerous, untraceable “ghost guns” from our community.”

“These privately made firearms pose a significant threat, as they evade serialization and traceability required for legal guns, often ending up in criminal hands, The Dartmouth Police Department prioritizes proactive enforcement against such operations, which enable the production of weapons without background checks or oversight.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with additional information related to this case is encouraged to contact Dartmouth Police Detective Matthew Correia at 508-910-1785.