Swansea parents released on personal recognizance after multiple firearm charges related to report of 2nd grader bringing gun to school

SWANSEA — A man and a woman charged with multiple firearms offenses following a search warrant execution that stemmed from a report that a second-grade student may have brought a gun to Mark G. Hoyle Elementary School faced a judge on Wednesday.

According to a release, Swansea Police first became aware of the report late on April 6th, through an anonymous tip and immediately launched an investigation, including coordinating with Swansea Public Schools. Police, along with school officials, took additional precautions at the school on Tuesday morning while officers continued investigating the report.

On April 7th, Swansea Police responded to a home on Market Street as part of the investigation.

Through its investigation, Swansea Police developed probable cause to apply for a search warrant for the Market Street residence. The warrant was issued by the court and executed on Tuesday afternoon by the Swansea Police Patrol and Detectives Divisions, with assistance from a Rehoboth Police Department K-9 Unit, Sgt. David Aguiar and K-9 Edo.

During the search, police located five firearms, four of which were loaded. The seized firearms include a Ruger .22-caliber handgun, a Beretta 9mm handgun, a Ruger .45-caliber handgun, a 12-gauge Savage Stevens shotgun, and a Marlin .22-caliber rifle, along with various types of ammunition.

The firearms were unregistered and improperly stored.

Police also determined that no one residing in the home possesses a valid Firearms Identification Card.

As a result of the investigation, Swansea Police filed charges in Fall River District Court on April 8th, summonsing 51-year-old Christopher Spangler and 43-year-old Heather Spangler for arraignment on the following charges:

• Improper Storage of a Firearm Near a Minor (Five Counts)
• Possession of a Firearm Without a Firearms Identification Card (Five Counts)
• Possession of Ammunition Without a Firearms Identification Card
• Reckless Endangerment of a Child (Two Counts)

Court records show that the pair were arraigned on Wednesday in Fall River District Court and pled not guilty. Both were released on personal recognizance with a probable cause hearing scheduled for June 9th.

Consistent with department policy, and acting as mandated reporters, Swansea Police filed a report on the matter with the Department of Children and Families.

“This situation had the potential to end in a tragedy,” said Chief Mark Foley. “Because of the work of our Swansea Police investigators, no one was hurt and several firearms that were possessed illegally and stored unsafely are now off the street.”