Thomas E. Ozga, 30, of East Nassau, New York, is behind bars on federal charges tied to the possession of unregistered firearms—specifically, multiple unregistered firearm silencers, according to a criminal complaint filed in Albany.
The arrest, confirmed today by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Kevin M. Kelly, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Field Office, marks the latest escalation in federal scrutiny of illegal weapons caches in upstate New York.
Ozga was taken into custody following an investigation led by HSI’s Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Albany. Authorities allege he knowingly possessed the silencers without proper federal registration—violating the National Firearms Act, a statute with teeth and long-standing enforcement.
Despite the serious allegations, Ozga appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who ordered his release pending trial under strict conditions. The decision underscores that, under U.S. law, the defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If convicted, Ozga faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The actual sentence, if any, will be determined by the presiding judge, guided by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the specifics of the case.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily C. Powers. The case remains under active investigation, with HSI continuing to probe potential links to broader weapons trafficking networks in the region.
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Related Federal Cases
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- Troy Man Dyshawn Fisher Charged in 2018 Firearm Possession · New York
- Andre Baker Pleads Guilty to Felon Firearm Possession in Buffalo · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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