Bullet found at crash on Staten Island leads to recovery of loaded guns

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A bullet on the ground at a crash site in Annadale was a major clue that led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man on weapons charges.

Justin Ferguson, of the 600 block of Annadale Road, was apprehended when officers responded to a crash on Feb. 2 at about 4:22 p.m. in the 500 block of Drumgoole Road West near Annadale Road, according to the criminal complaint.

Officers spotted a 9 mm bullet on the street outside the driver’s side door. When asked about the bullet, the criminal complaint alleges that Ferguson said, “Oh s–t, that is mine.”

A couple of hours later in the vicinity of the 123rd Precinct stationhouse in Tottenville, the criminal complaint alleges that officers seized two guns from Ferguson.

A silver .25-caliber handgun had an attached magazine loaded with eight bullets, the criminal complaint said, and a black .22-caliber GSG Firefly handgun had one bullet in the chamber and nine rounds in an attached magazine. The serial number was scratched off the GSG firearm.

“I’ll be honest with you guys,” the criminal complaint quoted Ferguson as saying to police. “I have two loaded guns in my bag. I’m sorry for not being honest with you guys.”

The criminal complaint alleges that Ferguson does not have a license to possess a firearm in the City or State of New York.

The defendant has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm and an administrative code violation of possession of ammunition, according to the criminal complaint.

Ferguson has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is free on bail set at $45,000 bond/$15,000 cash and is due back in state Criminal Court in St. George on April 14.

Attorney Louis Gelormino defended his client, Ferguson.

“Mr. Ferguson categorically denies these allegations,” Gelormino said. “We look forward to a complete investigation of the facts where we expect him to be fully vindicated.”

The defendant was convicted of attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree in July 2012, according to the criminal complaint.

In a post on the 123rd Precinct’s X account, the command credited Sgt. DeConcilio and Police Officers Khaimov and Hajiyeva for removing the weapons and the individual carrying them from the community. “No day on patrol is routine,” the precinct wrote.