BURRILLVILLE, RI – Ronald Andruchuk, 38, of Burrillville, Rhode Island, has confessed to a dangerous double-play of federal crimes: illegally stockpiling over 200 firearms while simultaneously battling a substance abuse problem and actively deceiving federal authorities. Andruchuk pleaded guilty today to two counts of making false statements on ATF firearm purchase forms and one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) first flagged Andruchuk in late 2018 after noticing an unusually high volume of firearm purchases – a staggering 169 guns between July 2021 and November 2021. Agents dug deeper, uncovering prior contact with the Cranston Police Department where Andruchuk admitted to medical marijuana use, and later, a broader substance abuse problem following an arrest on controlled substance charges. This information directly contradicted the claims he was making on federal forms required for firearm purchases.
The trail of deception didn’t stop at paperwork. In December 2021, two firearms linked to Andruchuk were discovered hidden in the drop ceiling of a Millbury, Massachusetts retail store shortly after he left the restroom. He lacked a license to carry firearms in Massachusetts, adding another layer to the growing legal trouble. Crucially, ATF reviews of purchase forms from November and December 2021 revealed Andruchuk falsely certified he was not an unlawful user of any controlled substance.
The situation escalated dramatically in February 2022 when Burrillville Police responded to repeated complaints of shots fired at Andruchuk’s residence – a total of nine such reports had been filed. Upon arrival, officers were met with gunfire, some rounds passing overhead. They found Andruchuk wearing a bulletproof vest and armed with four firearms, along with methamphetamine. This led to his state arrest, and simultaneously, a federal search warrant was executed at his home.
The search yielded a horrifying cache: over 200 unsecured firearms, including a privately-made AR-style rifle and a modified lower receiver, along with a mountain of ammunition – approximately 25,390 rounds weighing over 1,555 pounds. According to a plea agreement, all 219 firearms will be forfeited and destroyed. The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirms Andruchuk will be sentenced on April 17, 2023, with the final sentence determined by a federal district judge.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ronald R. Gendron is prosecuting the case, a collaborative effort between the ATF and the Burrillville Police Department. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing gun violence and enhancing community safety. The sheer volume of weapons, coupled with Andruchuk’s admitted substance abuse, paints a chilling picture of a potentially volatile situation narrowly averted by swift law enforcement action.”
Related Federal Cases
- Ronald Andruchuk, Unlawful Possession of Firearms, Burrillville RI, 2022 · Illinois
- Alason Ferreira-Peixoto, Selling Firearms Without a License, Massachusetts 2025 · Rhode Island
- Charlie D. Vick, Gun Theft from Licensed Dealer, Massachusetts 2018 · Massachusetts
- Brendan Sheils, Ammunition Charge, Massachusetts 2018 · Connecticut
- Trump Administration Found Guilty of Illegal Funding Discrimination… · Nevada
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