A Cape May County father and son were allegedly found with illegal weapons and devices after an investigation into a gun stolen from a Hamilton Township dealership.
Christopher Liston, 35, allegedly bought the 5.7-caliber handgun from out of state, arranging to have it delivered to the dealership in Atlantic County, according to the charges.
He is accused of then fraudulently re-routing the package to a post office in Rio Grande, where his father took possession.
A few days earlier, Christopher Liston allegedly brandished a 9 mm handgun at the Hamilton Township dealership.
The investigation began July 8, when the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms asked the State Police Firearms Investigations Unit to help with the investigation into the stolen firearm.
The next day, State Police arrested Liston at his Cape May Court House home without incident and seized the 9 mm handgun, according to the report.
Further investigation led to a search of the home he shares with his 73-year-old father, James Liston.
Detectives recovered the stolen 5.7-caliber handgun, along with four assault rifles, two 60-round magazines, five 30-round magazines and one 20-round magazine.
The seized rifle included a short-barrel assault rifle “ghost gun” manufactured by Christopher Liston, according to the charges.
A “ghost gun” is an unregistered and un-serialized firearm assembled from parts.
Generally, these guns must be machined into operable firearms and are considered illegal in New Jersey.
Both men are charged with several counts each of unlawful possession of weapons, possession of prohibited weapons and devices, violation of regulatory provisions relating to firearms, and manufacturing, transporting, disposition and defacement of weapons.
Christopher Liston was additionally charged with possession by certain persons not to have weapons, indicating a criminal history.
He was being held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending a detention hearing.
James Liston was released pending a court hearing.
