Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has revealed the indictment of Hayden Espinosa, a 24-year-old man accused of selling firearms and gun parts from within a federal prison.
Newsweek reported that Espinosa faces multiple felony charges related to illegal firearms sales and is awaiting extradition to New York for arraignment.
Bragg disclosed that Espinosa was indicted on five felony charges, which include four counts of Transport of a Firearm, Machine Gun, Silencer, Disguised Gun, and one count of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree.
The charges arose after Espinosa made transactions involving firearms and gun parts with an undercover NYPD officer while incarcerated in Louisiana.
The transactions took place from August to November 2023 and were facilitated using cell phones Espinosa had smuggled into the prison. Espinosa had previously been imprisoned for selling unregistered machine gun parts.
Espinosa managed a Telegram channel named "3D Amendment," through which he sold ghost guns and other illegal firearms. This channel, active in spreading extremist views, was discovered by authorities following a 2022 mass shooting in Buffalo, New York.
Rebecca Weiner, NYPD's deputy commissioner for counterterrorism and intelligence, highlighted that the channel surfaced amidst the investigation into the racially motivated killing of 10 Black individuals at a Buffalo supermarket.
Bragg’s office confirmed the channel's involvement in promoting racially and ethnically motivated extremist views.
Espinosa's use of this channel to continue illegal firearm sales while incarcerated underscores the severity of the charges against him.
Ghost guns, typically untraceable and often assembled using 3D printers and gun-making kits, pose a significant challenge for law enforcement due to the absence of serial numbers. These homemade firearms are illegal in New York, and Bragg has prioritized addressing this issue since assuming office in 2022. His efforts included the recent prosecution of an individual for manufacturing and test-firing ghost guns in Central Park.
Espinosa’s arrest results from a prolonged investigation with collaboration from multiple federal and local law enforcement agencies, such as the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. These coordinated efforts emphasize the extensive scope and complexity of tackling illegal firearm sales and distribution.
In a statement regarding the indictment, Bragg remarked, "We see this sad and tragic combination far too often, at the intersection of gun violence and gun trafficking and hate and extremism. It is very, very disturbing."
The press release from Bragg’s office reiterated the dangerous nature of the "3D Amendment" channel, describing it as a hub of "racially and ethnically motivated extremist views." The depth of investigation reflects the authorities' commitment to addressing both gun violence and extremist ideologies.
Bragg's office also communicated via email to Newsweek that Espinosa is currently the sole individual charged in connection with the Telegram channel. However, they noted that the investigation remains ongoing, suggesting the potential for future developments and additional charges against other individuals.
Following his arrest on June 4, Espinosa concluded his prison term but remains in custody in Louisiana. His arraignment in New York is scheduled for June 24, where he will face the charges against him.
The indictment of Espinosa highlights the persistent efforts by law enforcement officials to curb the trafficking of ghost guns and prevent subsequent gun violence.
Bragg emphasized that his office will "remain diligent and leverage every tool at our disposal to tackle ghost guns and ultimately prevent gun violence."
The upcoming legal proceedings are crucial not only for Espinosa's future but also for sending a clear message regarding the seriousness of illegal firearm activities and the associated extremist views. As the investigation continues, further actions may be expected to dismantle more robust networks involved in similar illegal operations.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has announced the indictment of Hayden Espinosa, a 24-year-old charged with felonies related to the sale of illegal firearms from federal prison.
Operating a Telegram channel, "3D Amendment," Espinosa sold ghost guns while incarcerated, leading to his arrest and pending extradition to New York for arraignment.
Authorities discovered the channel during investigations following a 2022 mass shooting in Buffalo. Bragg's ongoing efforts to combat ghost guns underscore the serious nature of the charges and the continued dedication to preventing gun violence and curbing extremist activities.
