Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, joined by NYPD Chief of Intelligence Thomas Galati and Inspector Courtney Nilan, today announced that four Queens residents have been arrested stemming from the seizure of dozens of firearms, including 27 “ghost” guns, assault weapons, firearm accessories, thousands of rounds of ammunition and other items recovered during four early morning raids this week. Defendants Andrew Chang, Kai Zhao, Michael Frankenfeld and Seongwoo Chung are charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal sale of a firearm and other crimes after caches of illegal weapons were allegedly found in their homes.
District Attorney Katz said, “We must get the guns off our streets. We must stop the illegal production of dangerous firearms that is happening in homes throughout our neighborhoods. Using myriad investigative tools and working closely with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to pursue those who bring these illegal, deadly weapons into our communities. I want to thank the NYPD’s Major Case Field Intelligence Team and the QDA Detective’s Bureau for their dedication in keeping the residents of Queens safe from gun violence.”
Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell said, “This case, and the dozens of guns, component parts, and ammunition seized as part of it, show once again that the proliferation of illegal ghost guns is not a passing fad but a continuing scourge against our citizens, our City, our way of life. These guns, often ordered online and shipped to New York City, shoot real bullets that victimize New Yorkers. But our joint, intelligence-driven focus on interrupting the supply chains for these weapons, and keeping them from hitting the streets, is intensifying thanks to the strong partnership between the NYPD, our Major Case Field Intelligence Team, and the office of the Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and her prosecutors who remain relentless in pursuing these important investigations and ensuring safety for all.”
Following a long-term investigation that utilized various surveillance techniques and intelligence gathering and state-of-the-art data analytics, the NYPD’s Major Case Field Intelligence Team along with members of the Queens District Attorney’s Detective Bureau executed Court-authorized search warrants on four residences early Tuesday morning. The investigation, led by District Attorney Katz’s Crime Strategies and Intelligence Unit, focused on individuals who were purchasing polymer-based firearm components – parts that do not include any serial numbers – that can be easily assembled into operable firearms. These weapons known as “Ghost Guns” are untraceable, easy to acquire and assemble and circumvent any and all background check requirements.
Defendants Chang, Zhao, Frankenfeld and Chung were arraigned on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 on three separate complaints in Queens Criminal Court charging them with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal sale of a firearm, the unlawful possession of unfinished frames or receivers and other related crimes. If convicted, defendants Chang and Chung face up to 15 years in prison. Defendants Frankenfeld and Zhao face up to 25 years in prison, if convicted.
Early Tuesday morning, police executed Court-authorized search warrants for the two Bayside Terrace, Queens, residences of defendant Chang. Police also raided the Auburndale, Queens home of Zhao and Frankenfeld, as well as the apartment of Chung, who also lives in Auburndale, Queens.
Tuesday’s Court-authorized searches resulted in the seizure of the following from all four homes:
- 33 total firearms, 27 of which were “ghost guns,” including: 22 semi-automatic ghost gun pistols, 4 ghost gun assault weapons, and 1 ghost gun assault shotgun
- 78 large capacity magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, many of which could hold up to 30 rounds
- 16 additional complete polymer-based lower receivers
- Approximately 10,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers
- Firearm accessories including silencers, holographic sights, bullet proof vests and a nighttime laser targeting system
- Several firearm-related components, parts, and equipment for assembling and manufacturing ghost guns
- More than $50,000 cash.
DA Katz said all four defendants do not have licenses to own or possess firearms in New York City.
Since August, there have been a total of five ghost gun takedowns in Queens – in addition to Tuesday’s takedown, there were two in Richmond Hill, one in Hollis, one in Rosedale, one in Fresh Meadows – with a total of 10 defendants charged.
Total Evidence Recovered to Date:
- 107 total firearms (ghost guns + commercially manufactured)
- 78 ghost guns (54 semi-automatic handguns, 21 assault weapons, 2 machine guns, 1 semi-automatic shotgun)
- 300 high-capacity magazines (holds over 10 rounds)
- 107 firearm lower receivers
- 4 rapid-fire modification devices
- Approximately 45,000 rounds of ammunition
The investigation was conducted by Detectives William Abatangelo, John Warner, Daniel Bridgeman, Agim Rugova, and Kenny Chin of the DA’s Detective Bureau, under the supervision of Lieutenant Alan Schwartz and Sergeant Joseph Falgiano, and under the overall supervision of Assistant Chief of Detectives Daniel O’Brien.
Also taking part in the investigation were members of the NYPD Major Case Field Intelligence’s Detectives Mike Billotto, Victor Cardona, John Schultz, Christopher Thomas and John Uske, under the supervision of Sergeants Bogdan Tabor and Jose Rodriguez and Captain Christian, and under the overall supervision of Inspector Courtney Nilan.
Assistant District Attorney Lisa Cubair, of the DA’s Crime Strategies and Intelligence Unit, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Shanon LaCorte, Unit Director, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Investigations Gerard Brave.
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ADDENDUM
ANDREW CHANG, 34, of 29-50 215th Place and 20-23 215th Place, both in Bayside, Queens, was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Anthony Battisti, on a complaint charging him with criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degree, criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree, criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of pistol or revolver ammunition, prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers and firearms-certificates of registration. Chang was ordered to return to Court on March 4, 2022. Chang is represented by David Cohen, (212) 766-9111.
KAI ZHAO, 45, of 36-20 167th Street in Flushing, Queens, was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Anthony Battisti on a complaint charging him with criminal possession of a weapon in the first, second and third degree, criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree, criminal possession of a firearm, make/transport/dispose/deface weapons and dangerous instruments, firearms; unlawful possession of pistol or revolver ammunition, prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers and firearms-certificates of registration. Zhao was ordered to return to Court on March 4, 2022. Zhao is represented by Oliver Storch, (212) 587-2383.
MICHAEL FRANKENFELD, 55, of 36-20 167th Street in Flushing, Queens, was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Anthony Battisti on a complaint charging him with criminal possession of a weapon in the first, second and third degree, criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree, criminal possession of a firearm, make/transport/dispose/deface weapons and dangerous instruments, firearms; unlawful possession of pistol or revolver ammunition, prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers and firearms-certificates of registration. Frankenfeld was ordered to return to Court on March 4, 2022. Frankenfeld is represented by Kevin O’Donnell, (718) 261-4500.
SEONGWOO CHUNG, 35, of Crocheron Avenue in Flushing, Queens, was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Anthony Battisti on a complaint charging him with criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degree, criminal sale of a firearm in the third degree, criminal possession of a firearm, prohibition on unfinished frames or receivers and firearms-certificates of registration. Chung was ordered to return to Court on March 4, 2022. Chung is represented by Michael Horn, (718) 777-7717.
Queens DA
