Credit: Patrick Grego
On March 27, New York State Police arrested a man on 17 firearms-possession charges.
David Passeri, 60, of Gallatin was indicted by a Columbia County grand jury on March 15 on one count of first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and 15 counts of criminal possession of a firearm, all felonies.
The indictment and subsequent arrest stemmed from a January search warrant executed at Passeri’s residence at 230 Sigler Road, where law enforcement seized 15 illegal firearms, including two semiautomatic-style rifles with no serial numbers, as well as numerous magazines and boxes of ammunition, according to Cheryl Botts, chief assistant district attorney of Columbia County.
Credit: Columbia County District Attorney’s Office
Botts said in a statement that other items seized from the property indicated Passeri’s involvement in illegal weapons manufacturing.
“We do take illegal weapon offenses very seriously,” Columbia County District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant told the Herald. “Not only was this individual allegedly illegally possessing weapons, but he was manufacturing untraceable weapons without serial numbers, sometimes called ghost guns. This presents an extreme danger for the community.”
Community members told the Herald that they have complained for several years to state and local law enforcement about excessive gunfire — at its most frequent, thousands of rounds per year — heard coming from Passeri’s property. The subject has dominated several Gallatin Town Hall meetings.
“It’s a huge sense of relief,” said a community member who requested anonymity for fear of retribution. “We’ve lived in constant fear. It’s been pretty scary.”
Credit: Columbia County District Attorney’s Office
The indictment was handed up at Columbia County Court, in Hudson, where Passeri was arraigned following his arrest. Although Passeri’s house on Sigler Road has a Pine Plains address, it falls within the township of Gallatin, and therefore under the jurisdiction of Columbia County.
“I feel that it’s been a long time coming,” a neighbor, who asked to remain anonymous, said of the arrest. “We’ve warned them [police] about this for many years now.”
At Passeri’s arraignment, bail was set at $1,000 cash or bond or $1,500 partially secured bond. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison.
Passeri posted bail on Wednesday, a Columbia County corrections officer said. He must appear for probation twice weekly and is due back in Columbia County Court on April 24.