Rhode Island State Police seize 18 guns, 15 of which ghost guns, in two separate arrests

Rhode Island State Police seized 18 guns, 13 of which were ghost guns, in two separate arrests recently.

The Rhode Island State Police announced that on Thursday, March 30, 2023, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force arrested Joseph Michael DaSilva, 47, of Coventry, Rhode Island on weapons charges.

Members of HIDTA initiated an investigation after developing information regarding a convicted felon who was illegally in the possession of multiple firearms. A search warrant was executed on Thursday, March 30, 2023, and during the execution of this warrant, DaSilva was taken into custody in his front lawn. He was found to be concealing a loaded Sig Sauer P365 9mm pistol with an extended magazine in his waistband. A search of his apartment located an additional 2 firearms, including a loaded Smith and Wesson .380 semiautomatic pistol, and a loaded Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun.

DaSilva was charged with illegally possessing weapons as well as a prohibited large capacity feeding device.

DaSilva was specially arraigned at the Lincoln Woods Barracks by a Justice of Peace where he was presented as a probation violator. DaSilva was held without bail and transported to the Adult Correctional Institution pending his formal arraignment at 3rd Division District Court on Friday, March 31, 2023.

The Rhode Island State Police High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force is comprised of members from the Rhode Island State Police, Providence Police Department, North Providence Police Department, Lincoln Police Department, Middletown Police Department, Bristol Police Department, Narragansett Police, DEA Providence District Office, and Department and Rhode Island National Guard Counterdrug Program.

In a separate incident, the Rhode Island State Police Intelligence Unit and Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested 43-year-old Elliott Knorr of North Smithfield, Rhode Island on weapons charges after an extensive investigation. During the investigation, 15 ghost guns and other weapons, including large capacity feeding devices, were seized.

“I’m proud of the exceptional work our Troopers did on this investigation,” said Colonel Darnell S. Weaver, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and Director of the Department of Public Safety. “Ghost guns are a real threat to public safety and being able to impede their manufacture is a win.”

The Rhode Island State Police Intelligence Unit initiated an investigation regarding an individual who was allegedly involved in the manufacturing and possession of ghost guns. During this investigation, the Intelligence Unit determined that Knorr was in possession of privately made firearms, otherwise known as “ghost guns.”

A Court-authorized search warrant was obtained and executed on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 and 15 ghost guns, ghost gun parts, and 36 large capacity feeding devices were seized.

Knorr was charged with Possession of a Ghost Gun (15 counts), Large Capacity Feeding Devices Prohibited (36 counts), Firing in a Compact Area (1 count), and Conspiracy to Fire in a Compact Area (1 count).

Knorr was arrested on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, processed at State Police Headquarters, and arraigned at Third Division District Court where he was issued a bail of $25,000 with surety and ordered to surrender any additional firearms.