Also Allegedly Set up Indoor Shooting Range
A Mineola man was arraigned on weapons charges after a search warrant executed at his home reportedly recovered multiple illegal firearms, including assault weapons, a ghost gun, and gun parts, high-capacity magazines and other gun components as part of a year-long multiagency investigation.
Wen-Lone Chou, 67, was arraigned before Judge Ryan Cronin on February 26 on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a Class C violent felony). The defendant pleaded not guilty and bail was set at $250,000 cash, $625,000 bond, and $1.25 million partially secured bond. He is due back in court on March 5, 2026. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
“For more than a year, this defendant allegedly bought dozens of firearm parts in a purchasing pattern that amounted to an immediate red flag for law enforcement. Our analysis led us to one conclusion: this defendant was assembling his own gun and possibly more,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “A search warrant executed with our law enforcement partners confirmed our suspicions and much more.”
Donnelly added that Chou allegedly had a private, makeshift shooting range in his basement, just yards away from a high school field that abuts the defendant’s property. “Taking illegal guns off Nassau streets has been a priority of my administration from day one, and with our partners, we will continue to seize these weapons and keep our communities safe,” she said.
According to the charges, NCDA, in partnership with the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force Illicit Finance Group, conducted a year-long investigation into the defendant beginning in January 2025.
The defendant was identified as an alleged frequent buyer of firearm parts and components from several online gun sellers. The purchased parts were then shipped to the defendant’s home.
Between January 2025 and January 2026, Chou allegedly purchased approximately 112 different firearm-related items, including handgun slides, barrels, magazines, and other components. The parts allegedly purchased by the defendant were the components necessary to build a complete Sig Sauer P320.
Additional parts allegedly purchased by the defendant could have been used to build additional Glocks and other weapons.
A search warrant executed at Chou’s home on February 25, 2026, recovered:
- A Sig Sauer 320 9mm ghost gun; seven assault rifles; a revolver; and a hunting rifle
- 78 high-capacity magazines
- Thousands of rounds of ammunition in six different calibers
- 5 completed lower frames for Glock, Sig Sauer, and AR-style firearms
- 6 firearm suppressors/silencers
- A “Glock switch” or Rapid-Fire Modification Device
- Components to assemble an MP5 assault weapon
Further investigation of the basement of the home revealed a 25-foot-long makeshift shooting range with an eye-level plywood target with spent rounds lodged in the wood.
The defendant’s home shares a backyard fence with a Mineola School District soccer field and is steps away from both Chaminade High School facilities and an elementary school.
Chou was arrested by members of the Homeland Security Investigations Task Force Economic Crimes Group on February 25, 2026.
“As alleged, the defendant disregarded weapons laws that are vital to protecting the public in New York and across the country. Illegally manufactured and trafficked firearms — including so-called ghost guns and assault-style weapons — can quickly become instruments of devastating violence,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Alfonso. “HSI New York, together with our vital partners, remains vigilant in our mission to prevent illicit weapons from endangering lives.”
“Today represents the strength of collaboration and the power of a unified law enforcement effort made possible by County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Through an intelligence-driven model and multi-agency investigative initiative, the events outlined today by the District Attorney highlight our department’s commitment to confront complex criminal activity, specifically those surrounding a unique and growing threat to public safety, ghost guns,” said Chief Deputy Sheriff Robert Arciello of the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department. “The Nassau County Sheriff’s Department commends the work of our law enforcement partners, and we want to let Nassau County residents know, we have one simple goal, keeping the public safe.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Because of strong law enforcement partnerships, the alleged acts of the defendant will no longer threaten the community and put children in danger at school. Disrupting the flow of illegal guns and fighting the battle on many fronts with our local, state, and federal partners remains preeminent. Our Counter Terrorism NICS Investigators continue to assist with firearm and ammunition sales investigations and background checks of purchasers to ensure illegal activity is investigated and laws are upheld.”
“This case highlights the dedicated work of law enforcement to keep the streets of New York and beyond free from illegal handguns,” said USPIS Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward of the New York Division. “Mr. Chou allegedly purchased firearm parts and 3D printed related items online that can be used to manufacture illegal firearms known as ghost guns. However, when you use the U.S. Mail to commit a crime, Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners will find you and hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
“As this case shows, the work we do every day securing our borders and ports of entry doesn’t stop at the airport—it drives real investigative results that make our communities safer. Every city is a border city, and what happens at our ports of entry has a direct impact on the streets, schools, and neighborhoods we are sworn to protect,” said Director of Field Operations Frank Russo, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, New York Field Office. “By using CBP’s data, expertise, and authorities in close partnership with our federal, state, and local law enforcement colleagues, we collaborated to uncover and disrupt a significant cache of illegal weapons near local schools. I am incredibly proud of our CBP task force officers, intelligence teams, and of our partner agencies whose teamwork and professionalism turned routine information into a successful operation and arrest.”