Amherst Man Charged With Unlawful Possession Of A Machinegun

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Rejjie Ni, 22, of Amherst, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with unlawful possession of a machine gun, and unlawful possession of an unregistered machinegun. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on March 18, 2019, the Amherst Police Department responded to an apartment complex on Herron Drive. A maintenance worker conducting a routine inspection of the defendant’s apartment noticed a number of firearms in the apartment in plain view. The maintenance worker left the building and notified his manager who then notified police.

When officers arrived, Ni allowed them into the apartment. Once inside, officers made contact with Ni and three others. Officers discovered numerous rifles, ammunition boxes, and ammunition magazines, as well as a box that appeared to be for a rifle that displayed a shipping address from the State of Texas, sent directly to Ni in New York State. 

Officers then obtained a New York State search warrant and recovered a total of 33 rifles, two shotguns and numerous rounds of ammunition. Nineteen rifles and some of the ammunition were located in Ni's room. The officers seized three of the firearms which were believed to be illegal under New York State law.

According to the complaint, the defendant converted at least one of the firearms into an illegal machinegun.

The defendant is being held following a detention hearing this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate judge Michael J. Roemer.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division, and the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Askey.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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