A Deputy Mayor Is Charged With Amassing 16 Assault Weapons And Fake FBI IDs

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A wall in a «gun room» in Brian Downey’s house held a range of powerful weapons, many of which were not registered, authorities say.

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Department of Homeland Security

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Investigators say they found fake IDs purportedly from the FBI and other agencies in Brian Downey’s house. A portion of the credentials are seen here.

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Rockland County District Attorney’s office

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Brian Downey’s name and photo appear on a fake New York Court Officer badge.

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Rockland County District Attorney’s Office

Brian Downey’s name and photo appear on a fake New York Court Officer badge.

Rockland County District Attorney’s Office

There’s no sign of a motive in court records

None of the court documents released so far by county and federal authorities suggest an explanation for why Downey allegedly amassed an illegal trove of guns and forged documents. A local newspaper, the Rockland/Westchester Journal News, describes the deputy mayor as «a Second Amendment advocate who has permitted handguns» and was elected in March 2019.

The investigation that led to Downey’s arrest involved several agencies, from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office to the Department of Homeland Security and a U.S. Postal Service task force.