NJ Kids Lived Near 'Abundance' Of Unsecured Ghost Guns, Cops Say; 2 People Charged

COLUMBIA, NJ — A Columbia man faces numerous weapons charges and a child endangerment charge after officials say they found dozens of "ghost guns" and related ammunition in his home and car, and at his Morris County barbershop.

The 33-year-old is accused of selling assault firearms and other guns that were manufactured without serial numbers. A woman was also charged with child neglect, as there were children living in their shared home where "an abundance of unsecured firearms and ammunition were located," officials said.

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office announced charges against Columbia resident Joseph Palumbo Jr. on Tuesday, in a joint press release with Denville Police and the Warren County Prosecutor. Palumbo faces a total of 32 firearms charges in connection with an investigation into the manufacturing and sales of ghost guns, including some assault firearms, in Morris and Warren Counties.

Officials accuse Palumbo Jr. of illegally manufacturing and selling these firearms, which had no serial numbers, between December 2023 and February 2024. He was arrested after a motor vehicle stop on Feb. 8, prosecutors said.

Palumbo Jr. will be detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.

Police subsequently searched his vehicle, home in Columbia, and barbershop in Netcong. Officers seized two homemade AR platformed rifles and 36 additional firearms, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition, three silencers, and numerous components used to make firearms.