Prosecutors say what looked like an ordinary Mineola home a few steps from school grounds was hiding a full cache of untraceable "ghost" guns, assault weapons and high‑capacity magazines, plus a 25‑foot makeshift shooting lane in the basement.
The homeowner, identified by prosecutors as 67‑year‑old Wen‑Lone Chou, was arrested Thursday after investigators searched the house. The property sits just off Chaminade High School and close to an elementary school, a proximity that has rattled parents and neighbors. Chou pleaded not guilty at his arraignment and is being held on what authorities described as heavy bail.
According to PIX11, Nassau County prosecutors said officers recovered ghost guns, assault rifles, handgun slides, barrels, magazines and other components that could be assembled into working firearms, including parts that could be used to build a Sig Sauer P320. Authorities allege Chou bought 112 different firearm‑related items in the past year and that some of the seized components matched that description. Prosecutors charged him with criminal possession of a weapon.
Basement Firing Lane Just Beyond School Soccer Field
Prosecutors described a 25‑foot‑long shooting lane in the basement, outfitted with an eye‑level plywood target. They said the yard behind the house shares a fence line with a Mineola school district soccer field, putting that makeshift range uncomfortably close to where kids play after class.
That detail has driven much of the alarm in the neighborhood, where parents were already on edge about gun violence and have been pushing local officials to crack down on untraceable firearms.
DA: Activity Was ‘Steps Away From Several Schools’
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly told reporters the alleged setup was located "steps away from several schools," underscoring prosecutors’ concern over how easily weapon parts and components can be turned into functioning guns.
Her comments came during a press conference where prosecutors laid out the items they say were seized and the potential public‑safety risk tied to ghost‑gun components. PIX11 reported on Donnelly’s remarks from that briefing.
Charges, Bail and What Happens Next in Court
Prosecutors say Chou was arrested and arraigned on criminal possession of a weapon charges and entered a not‑guilty plea. Bail was set at $250,000 cash, $625,000 bond or a $1.25 million partially secured bond, according to court records and prosecutors’ statements. He remains in custody while the case moves forward.
The case is expected to return to court for preliminary proceedings, where prosecutors plan to present evidence from the search warrant and the firearms‑related items they say were recovered inside the home.
Ghost Guns, Long Island and a Growing Crackdown
Prosecutors and local leaders have been warning for several years about a rise in ghost‑gun components turning up across Long Island, prompting Nassau County to ramp up enforcement efforts.
As outlined by the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, the county has created specialized teams to trace the flow of illegal guns and parts. At the state level, Governor Kathy Hochul has backed rules and proposals aimed at curbing 3‑D‑printed and untraceable firearms, a trend experts say makes traditional gun‑control enforcement more complicated. For more on those proposals, see details from the governor's office.
Neighbors told reporters they were stunned by the discovery and said they welcome a thorough prosecution. School officials declined immediate comment.
Prosecutors say the investigation remains active and are urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement as the case develops. The arraignment schedule and related filings are expected to be available through the county court calendar as the case proceeds.
