EAST BRIDGEWATER, MASS. (WHDH) - An East Bridgewater man who tried to have a firearm silencer shipped to his home from China was taken into custody after federal agents executed a search warrant at his home on Wednesday morning, according to a complaint affidavit.
East Bridgewater police, Department of Homeland Security investigators, and other federal agents executed a search warrant at a home in the area of Plymouth Street around 10 a.m. and took Bruce “Monster” Sartwell into custody without incident, the affidavit indicated.
The firearm silencer was reportedly seized by Customs and Border Protection John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Oct. 19.
A federal agent stated in the affidavit that the package was addressed to “Bruce Sartwell” and that the item inside was declared as a “fuel filter” valued at $0.78.
Investigators subsequently reviewed prior shipments to Sartwell’s home and learned he had received 65 items, including 55 from China, since Dec. 25, 2018.
Some of the packages had labels that read “ACROSS THE BELT,” “HOLSTER,” “BOTTLE OPENER,” “GLASS CUP,” “RUBBER GLOVES,” “OUTDOOR TOOL,” and “SCREW THREAD DRILL BITS,” according to the affidavit.
Officers found several hidden compartments in Sartwell’s garage and inside a wall that led them to uncover a “ghost gun” — or a firearm without a serial number.
According to court paperwork, that unregistered gun was styled like an AR-15.
Agents also allegedly found more silencers, 150 rounds of ammo for the assault rifle and three ceramic breastplates.
Sartwell is a convicted felon and the head of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, according to court paperwork.
Gang paraphernalia was also removed from the home.
Authorities believe that a member of that gang shot and killed a member of a rival biker gang during a brawl in Fall River last month.
Two other people were shot in that melee.
The suspect was taken to federal court in Boston to face charges.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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