MORRIS COUNTY, NJ – A Warren County man is facing charges related to the unlawful manufacturing and sales of firearms without serial numbers, more commonly known as ghost guns, in Morris and Warren Counties, according to Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll.
Joseph Palumbo Jr., 33, of Columbia was charged with four counts of second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm, seven counts of second-degree seven counts of unlawful possession of an assault firearm, eight counts of second-degree transporting a manufactured firearm without a serial number, second-degree conspiracy to manufacture and transport firearms without serial numbers, second-degree purchasing firearm parts to manufacture a firearm without a permit, second-degree child endangerment, third-degree eight counts of unlawful possession of a firearm without a serial number, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, fourth-degree manufacture, transport, and disposition of large capacity magazines, and fourth-degree manufacture, transport, and disposition of firearm silencers
Palumbo Jr. is alleged to have carried out the illegal manufacture and sales of ghost guns between Dec. 2023 and Feb. 2024. Specifically, he is alleged to have sold these ghost guns, the majority of which are alleged to be assault firearms, during this timeframe in Morris and Warren County, Carroll said.
The sales involved one homemade handgun without a serial number, five homemade AR platformed assault firearms without serial numbers, and two large-capacity magazines. Palumbo Jr. was taken into custody following a motor vehicle stop on Feb. 8, Carroll said.
During the subsequent execution of a search warrant on Palumbo Jr.’s Columbia residence, an alleged ghost gun manufacturing facility was located in the basement. Searches were also conducted at his barbershop in Netcong and his vehicle, Carroll said.
As a result of these searches, two additional homemade AR platformed assault firearms without serial numbers, approximately 36 additional firearms consisting of assault firearms and handguns, numerous firearms components used to manufacture firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and approximately 3 firearm silencers were seized, Carroll said.
As a result of this investigation, Monica D. Scaglione, 30, of Columbia, was charged with fourth-degree child neglect after it was determined that minor children reside in Palumbo Jr. and Scaglione’s shared home, where an abundance of unsecured firearms and ammunition were located and seized, Carroll said.
Palumbo Jr. was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings and Scaglione was released pending a court appearance, Carroll said.
