An Egg Harbor Township man was allegedly ordering parts online that could be used to build several assault firearms that are illegal in New Jersey.
Christopher Pespas, 72, was arrested after a month-long investigation that found he was ordering rifle parts, high-capacity magazines and ammunition for various handguns and rifles, including assault firearms, Lt. Michael Finnerty said.
Pespas was in possession of an assault firearm without rendering it inoperable, according to the complaint obtained by BreakingAC.
He also had a lower receiver without a serial number and five high-capacity 30-round rifle magazines, according to the affidavit.
Magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds are prohibited in the state, Finnerty noted.
Pespas was arrested and then released on a summons under bail reform, Finnerty said.
The investigation was conducted by township police along with the Atlantic City Police Department, Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, and members from the NJ State Police Firearms Unit, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the FBI.
