New York man possessed massive ghost gun cache, authorities say

Schneider, H. Rose, Times Union, Albany, N.Y.

Albany, New York. A 42-year-old man from Albany is accused of owning dozens of ghost firearms and manufacturing them with 3D printers, allegedly producing hundreds of 3D-printed components.

During a search of two Albany homes on Wednesday, State Police claimed they discovered various gun parts and manufacturing equipment, along with laptops, documents, and other electronics that Demetrio Daga used to manufacture firearms. Whether either house belonged to Daga or not is unclear. According to a news release on Thursday, police discovered 22 assault rifles and 13 pistols, all of which were privately manufactured. According to authorities, the searches come after a year-long investigation into the weapons manufacturing case.

According to investigators, more than 200 3D-printed rifle frames and lower handgun receivers were discovered with many 3D printers, one of which was creating a lower receiver right now. Allegedly discovered were two pump-action shotguns, body armor, high-capacity magazines, eighteen more serialized assault rifles (not ghost guns), and thousands of rounds of ammo. According to the police, Daga was also carrying a ghost firearm.

According to State Police spokesperson Beau Duffy, Daga was employing finishing jigs, or fittings used to assemble a pistol, and more expensive 3D printers that are sold to the general public, the Times Union reported. The investigation is still underway, but as of right now, he is the lone suspect in the case.

Daga was accused of felony criminal possession of a firearm in the first and second degrees. He may face additional charges, according to the police. According to an arrest report, he was detained on Bethlehem’s Krumkill Road and given infractions for having tinted windows.

Daga was taken to the Albany County jail without being granted bail after being charged in Albany City Court on Wednesday afternoon. After being granted bail in Albany County Court and posting a $350,000 bond, he was freed the next day on probation and electronic monitoring. Daga must return to Albany City Court on Monday at ten a.m.

Daga was mentioned on the website of a local real estate company until recently, and it looks like she works there. A call for comment has not yet received a response from the agency. A Times Union reporter who called a phone linked to him was disconnected, and a call to his lawyer has not yet been returned.

Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon praised the latest arrest and seizure in a statement released on Friday.

“Removing guns from the streets is my top priority as district attorney,” he stated. I commend the New York State Police for their diligent efforts on this seizure and their unwavering dedication to public safety.

According to officials, crime is returning to pre-pandemic levels, and while shootings in Albany have increased from 44 in 2023 to 51 in 2024 as of October 29, they are still much below the numbers from 2020. Whether Daga was selling or otherwise distributing firearms has not been verified by the police. According to Duffy, several parts of the case are still being looked at.