In a turn of events, two brothers from Astoria have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of weapons possession, including explosive devices and 3D-printed guns. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz stated that the weapons were discovered during an investigation by the Crime Strategies and Intelligence Bureau, as reported by the Queens District Attorney's Office.
Andrew Hatziagelis, 41, received a stern 10-year sentence, while his older sibling, Angelo Hatziagelis, 52, earned four years behind bars for their cache of illegal weaponry. The investigation into the Hatziagelis brothers began back in September 2020, over concerns of ghost gun manufacturing, as per the Queens District Attorney's announcement. The NYPD along with state and federal agencies collaborated, leading to the revealing search of the suspects' residence on 36th Avenue in early 2024.
Upon execution of the search warrant, officials found operational improvised explosive devices (IEDs), two loaded AR-15 style ghost guns, 9 mm ghost gun pistols, and over 600 rounds of ammunition for each firearm. The brothers possessed virtually an armory, with 3D-printed pistols, body armor, high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and metal knuckles thrown into the mix. According to the Queens District Attorney's Office, a radio set to the local precinct's frequency and a host of smoke bombs were among the seized items, and a "hit list" with names of potential targets including "cops, judges, politicians, celebrities" and "banker scum" was also discovered.
A 3D printer and notebooks containing bomb-making instructions were among the items recovered, indicating the Hatziagelis brothers had documented plans related to weapons production. The discovery of live improvised explosive devices prompted an immediate response from the NYPD Bomb Squad and required the evacuation of the building to ensure the safety of its residents. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael Bello, with support from several intelligence analysts and under the supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney of Investigations Gerard Brave.
Andrew and Angelo Hatziagelis have been sentenced to prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. The sentencing concludes a case involving multiple weapons possession charges, including explosive devices and 3D-printed firearms. Authorities stated that the case reflects the role of law enforcement and prosecutorial efforts in identifying and addressing potential threats through ongoing investigations and legal action.
