Springfield law enforcement made a dangerous seizure early Wednesday morning when officers arrested a 30-year-old man inside an apartment on Harriet Street. Joseph Morales-Dejesus, the man in question, is now facing a slew of charges after Springfield Police disarmed what is known as a "Ghost Gun" during a tense encounter.
The incident occurred as officers were investigating a domestic assault case. Given permission to enter the apartment where Morales-Dejesus was staying, officers were confronted by him at around 1:35 a.m., brandishing the weapon. According to a report by Springfield Police Department, Morales-Dejesus suddenly lifted the firearm, aiming at an officer before commands were complied with. He then tossed the gun and was taken into custody by the police.
The confiscated weapon was no ordinary firearm; it was a large-capacity Ghost Gun, loaded with nine rounds of ammunition. Moreover, an extended magazine was found, capable of holding an additional 31 rounds.
Morales-Dejesus was not new to the criminal justice system. He was convicted on firearms charges back in 2019 and faced several domestic-related charges in 2020, which included assault & battery on a pregnant female, as well as drug distribution charges in 2017. The latest charges against Morales-Dejesus, as per the Springfield Police Department's report, include firearm violation with three prior violent/drug crimes and possession of a high-capacity magazine/feeding device, among others.
With the suspect now detained, Springfield Police continue to investigate the domestic assault case.
