In a shocking display of brazen disregard for the law, Walter Garbecki, a 37-year-old West Greenwich man, has been detained in federal custody for allegedly possessing six “ghost guns,” three silencers, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
According to court documents, the United States Postal Inspection Service identified Garbecki’s residence as being associated with at least seven purchases and deliveries of kits and firearm parts used to assemble “ghost guns.” A ghost gun is a firearm without serial numbers and other manufacturer or importer markings, rendering it difficult to trace by law enforcement officials.
On September 20, 2022, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service executed a court-authorized search of Garbecki’s residence and seized four fully functioning ghost guns and two in various stages of assembly, three silencers, approximately 1,500 rounds of ammunition, and various parts and kits used to assemble “ghost guns.”>
Garbecki, a convicted felon, was previously convicted in Rhode Island state court on charges of sale or possession of silencers, unlawful devices attached to a semi-automatic weapon allowing automatic fire, possession of a firearm while delivering or manufacturing a controlled substance, and drug trafficking. He was released from the Rhode Island Adult Correctional Institutions in September 2020 and is currently on state probation until September 2030.
Garbecki is charged by way of a federal criminal complaint with possession of firearms/ammunition by a felon and receive/possession of firearm silencers not registered. A federal criminal complaint is merely an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ronald R. Gendron.
Garbecki is currently in federal custody awaiting his day in court. If convicted, he faces serious consequences, including significant prison time and fines.
Related Federal Cases
- Walter Garbecki, Ghost Guns & Ammo, Rhode Island 2023 · New York
- Isaiah Gasperini, Machine Gun Possession, Rhode Island 2012 · Rhode Island
- Christopher Rene, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Rhode Island 2016 · Rhode Island
- David Welch, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Rhode Island 2013 · Rhode Island
- Peter A. Laporte, Straw-Purchase of Firearms, Rhode Island 2012 · Rhode Island
Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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