EHT Man Facing Numerous Weapons Charges

An Egg Harbor Township man is facing numerous weapons offenses following an investigation involving local police departments and the FBI.

EHT Police say earlier this month, they conducted a joint investigation with the Atlantic City Police Department, the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office, the New Jersey State Police Firearms Unit, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the FBI.

The month-long investigation revealed that 72-year-old Christopher Pespas of Egg Harbor Township had been ordering assault rifle parts, high capacity magazines, and ammunition for various handguns and rifles, to include assault firearms, through the internet.

Authorities say the assault rifle parts, when assembled, would make several illegal assault firearms as defined by state law. Magazines with a capacity of more than ten rounds are also prohibited in New Jersey.

Pespas was arrested and criminally charged with numerous weapon offenses. In accordance with the state bail reform, he was processed and released on criminal summonses pending court.