New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Members of the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit and Troopers from the State Police-Springfield Barracks arrested a Springfield man yesterday after finding a “Ghost Gun” and large amounts of various narcotics in his car.
At approximately 6 p.m. last night, MSP Gang Unit Troopers were on patrol in Springfield when they observed a BMW sedan that was known to them for frequenting the area in connection with drug crimes. The Gang Unit Troopers observed the driver texting while driving and then, along with two Troopers from State Police-Springfield who responded as back up, conducted a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of Union and Oak streets.
The operator and sole occupant, JONATHAN CASIANO, 33, initially ignored commands to exit the car, and when he finally did get out, twice tried to re-enter his car. Troopers detained CASIANO and put him in handcuffs for their safety while they continued to investigate. As Troopers were moving CASIANO away from his car to the back of a cruiser, he shouted out, “Baby I’m going to jail!” Troopers later observed that one the cell phones in his car had an open line with a connection to a woman to whom CASIANO had been speaking.
Looking into the BMW from outside the car, Troopers observed, in plain view, bundles of small baggies consistent with how heroin is packaged and a large amount of cash. A Gang Unit Trooper began searching the car and located a black semi-automatic handgun on the floor near the driver’s seat. The firearm would have been in immediate reach of CASIANO when he was in the car. The gun had a high-capacity magazine loaded with 15 9mm rounds, and it had no markings or serial number on the frame or the slide, consistent with what is called a “Ghost Gun.” Ghost Guns are not legally manufactured and cannot be traced. Troopers determined that CASIANO has no license to carry a firearm.
Troopers discovered additional amounts of cash and drugs in multiple areas within the car.
In addition to the firearm and ammunition, the following contraband was seized:
• 74 grams of suspected cocaine and crack cocaine;
• 810 individual dose baggies of suspected heroin;
• 486 Oxycodone pills;
• 67 Gabapentin tablets;
• 2 grams of suspected methamphetamine;
• 3 Adderall tablets;
• $9,880 cash;
• Two electronic scales with powder residue on them;
• Materials consistent with packaging of narcotics; and
• Three cell phones.
CASIANO was transported to State Police-Springfield, where he was booked on the following charges:
• Unlawful Carrying of a Loaded Firearm;
• Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card;
• Possession of a High-Capacity Magazine;
• Committing a Firearm Offense While Having Three Prior Drug Offenses;
• Possession of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony;
• Trafficking a Class A Substance (Oxycodone);
• Trafficking a Class B Substance (cocaine/crack cocaine);
• Possession of a Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute (heroin); and
• Possession of a Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute (methamphetamine).
• CASIANO was also issued a citation for texting while driving.
A clerk set bail at $50,000 cash. Troopers transported CASIANO to the Hampden County House of Correction to be held pending arraignment in Springfield District Court.
