A Republican deputy mayor of a town just outside New York City has been arrested after authorities searched his home and found a cache of unregistered assault weapons and firearms as well as fake badges that said he was in the FBI and DEA.
Brian Downey, 47, deputy mayor of Airmont, New York, was charged by federal and state prosecutors after the Ramapo Police Department searched his home last Thursday.
The police were issued a search warrant after being tipped off by the Department of Homeland Security that the 47-year-old had purchased an illegal rifle suppression device over the internet, Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said.
When authorities entered Downey's basement they discovered a black wall with over a dozen firearms displayed and more on a rack located against another wall in what court documents referred to as his 'gun room.'
Brian Downey, 47, (pictured) deputy mayor of Airmont, New York, was charged by federal and state prosecutors after cops searched his home last Thursday. The deputy mayor is also is employed as a Ramapo deputy building inspector and a part-time court officer
When authorities entered Downey's basement they discovered a black wall with over a dozen firearms displayed (pictured)
Authorities found more weapons on a rack located against another wall in what court documents referred to as his 'gun room'
When authorities opened a lockbox they found several fake federal badges and credentials, including multiple FBI badges with his name and signature
Authorities also found more weapons in a closet adjacent to his gun room, including a sawn off shotgun which he was not authorized to own.
According to court records, Downey told law enforcement agents he believed he was allowed to shorten the barrel on
