STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An investigation remains ongoing in a car stop on the borough’s North Shore in which police allege they seized multiple firearms and ammunition.
Two of the individuals charged in the case are service members, while at least one of the firearms were registered at the time of the May 10 incident, according to their attorneys.
The following individuals appeared last week in Criminal Court before Judge Raja Rajeswari on charges that included second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon:
Rakiem Daley, 24, of Gordon Street in Stapleton; Brandon Foster, 24, of Northfield Court in Mariners Harbor; Anthony Simmons, 23, of Taft Avenue in New Brighton; Savian Maxell, 29, of New Street in Port Richmond, and Romario Maier, 28, of Rutland Road in Brooklyn.
All of the defendants were released on non-monetary bail conditions.
CAR STOP
Officers pulled over the black, 2016 BMW 328 just after 9 p.m. for a minor traffic infraction on Arlington Avenue near Richmond Terrace in Mariners Harbor.
The group told officers they were returning from a shooting range.
According to defense attorneys arguing the case, at least one of the firearms was registered.
The district attorney’s office by practice does not comment on ongoing investigations.
According to a criminal complaint, officers searching the trunk found a black, 9 mm Taurus pistol, 377 rounds of 9 mm bullets and four large-capacity magazines, each capable of holding more than 10 bullets.
A black, Glock 19 with 15 rounds of 9 mm bullets in its magazine was found inside the car, in addition to a large-capacity magazine capable of accepting more than 10 bullets on Mair’s person, the complaint alleged.
On behalf of Mair, defense attorney Michael Vitaliano said his client has no prior arrests and was “in a vehicle with individuals who had licenses to possess firearms.”
“We hope after the District Attorney’s Office reviews the facts and circumstances surrounding this case, the case will be dismissed against Mr. Mair.”
‘ACTIVE MILITARY’
Two of the defendants, Maxwell and Daley, are military members who have appeared recently in court in uniform.
“My client is active military waiting to be deployed,” said defense attorney Patrick Parrotta on behalf of Maxwell. “I hope to have his charges dismissed soon so he can get his new orders and be shipped out to the southern border to assist with immigration enforcement.”
An attorney for Daley did not immediately return a request for comment.
Simmons also claims to be a lawful gun owner in New York.
“His weapon is registered and he was transporting it lawfully,” said his attorney, Matthew Santamauro. “My client did nothing wrong.”
An attorney for Brandon Foster said Wednesday the case “is not what it seems at first glance.”
“We believe that once the people conclude their investigation they will find all the guns were legally obtained and registered, and that there was no wrong doing,” said attorney Yan Katsnelson. “The case against my client will be dismissed.”
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