A man in Harlem was arrested and charged by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch for selling a variety of illegal firearms to an undercover officer over the course of eight months this year.
Joseph Moore, a 48-year-old individual, has been indicted on 24 counts of criminal sale of a firearm and criminal possession of a weapon.
During the period from April 2024 to October 2024, Moore allegedly sold eight guns to an undercover officer in front of his Harlem apartment building, which is situated near West 135th Street and Broadway, according to officials.
In court documents and statements, it is revealed that on April 15, he made a sale to the operative, selling two guns for a total of $2,700. This included an assault weapon and one that was loaded. He continued his transactions with the undercover officer, making two more sales on May 27 and Oct. 2. During these sales, he sold two defaced guns for $2,000 and four guns for over $3,700, respectively.
When the NYPD apprehended Moore at his apartment on October 28th, they made a startling discovery. Alongside the initial weapon, they found eight more firearms, six of which were loaded. Among these were two assault weapons, raising concerns about the potential danger Moore posed.
During the execution of the court-authorized search warrant, law enforcement discovered a wooden rifle. The rifle was found to be unloaded and unassembled. Additionally, they came across a 3D printer that had the capability to make modifications to firearms.
“The guns Moore allegedly sold had a significant risk of causing harm to fellow Manhattanites, and I am thankful that one of the NYPD’s brave undercover officers was able to prevent the weapons from making it onto our city’s streets,” Bragg said. “Protecting Manhattan’s communities from gun violence remains my top priority and we will continue using all the tools at our disposal to reduce gun violence.”
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has successfully confiscated a staggering 5,850 illegal firearms from the city’s streets this year.
According to Tisch, this case serves as a reminder of the persistent issue of illegal firearms in many communities that require our support. It also underscores the continuous efforts made by the NYPD to prevent the access of these weapons to criminals.