NYC Gazette

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York; Ivan J. Arvelo, the Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Edward A. Caban, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced today the arrest of Caleb Eccles-Gonsalves in connection with his sale and distribution of firearms, machinegun conversion devices (MCDs), silencers, ammunition, and narcotics. Eccles-Gonsalves was arrested this morning in St. Petersburg, Florida, and will be presented later today in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams stated: “As alleged, Caleb Eccles-Gonsalves participated in a scheme to illegally traffic various contraband into and around New York City, including guns, narcotics, and gun accessories like machinegun conversion devices, silencers, and ammunition. Machinegun conversion devices are particularly dangerous gun accessories that turn ordinary firearms into fully automatic weapons. Removing these extraordinarily dangerous devices from our streets is an important law enforcement goal, and we will continue working diligently with our law enforcement partners to keep these devices and other illegal guns out of New York City.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo commented: “As alleged, the defendant trafficked illicit high-powered weapons, accessories, and ghost guns and in turn overlooked the incalculable dangers posed to the public. HSI New York is committed to working with law enforcement partners to confront violent crime and its underlying causes directly. I commend HSI’s Violent Gang Task Force, the New York Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for our shared dedication to removing illegal guns from our streets.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban added: “These charges punctuate that the manufacturing and trafficking of fully assembled untraceable ghost guns as well as their component parts is among the most pressing public safety concerns in New York City today. NYPD investigators and our federal partners will continue to vigorously pursue these types of cases in order to deliver on our promise to keep all New Yorkers safe and to hold accountable anyone who allegedly involves themselves in this illicit trade.”

According to allegations in an indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court as well as publicly filed court documents and statements at public court proceedings:

From about July 2023 up to June 2024, Eccles-Gonsalves participated in a conspiracy to sell at least two MCDs, multiple firearms — including a privately manufactured "ghost" gun — and narcotics. An MCD is a combination of parts that enables a semiautomatic firearm to automatically shoot more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger. A "ghost" gun is an unserialized firearm that is difficult to trace.

Eccles-Gonsalves and his co-conspirators used USPS to ship MCDs as well as firearms from Florida to New York. Additionally, Eccles-Gonsalves advertised multiple guns for sale including at least one rifle. Law enforcement seized USPS parcels during the investigation containing items such as a privately manufactured "ghost" gun, a silencer, an MCD, ammunition, and magazines.

At his arrest today in St. Petersburg, Florida law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence recovering 13 firearms among other items.

Eccles-Gonsalves faces charges including conspiracy to possess and transfer a machinegun carrying up to five years imprisonment; possession and transfer of a machinegun carrying up to ten years imprisonment; conspiracy for unlicensed dealing in firearms carrying up five years imprisonment; narcotics distribution carrying up twenty years imprisonment.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress but any sentencing will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised HSI's work alongside NYPD's efforts.

The case is managed by Violent Organized Crime Unit Assistant U.S Attorneys Ashley C Nicolas Timothy Ly leading prosecution

The charges contained within indictment remain accusations until proven guilty.

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