Deputy mayor in New York charged with having ‘arsenal of weapons,’ fake FBI badges

ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. (TCD) -- Brian Downey, the deputy mayor of Airmont, New York, was arrested last week after a search warrant for his home reportedly uncovered an "arsenal of weapons" and forged FBI badges.

The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office announced September 2 that Downey was taken into custody after he reportedly bought a rifle suppression device online. The Department of Homeland Security was notified of Downey’s purchase and informed Rockland County officials.

Downey faces both federal and local charges.

According to a press release from the Rockland County District Attorney’s office, Downey was charged in the Southern District of New York for possession of unregistered firearms and possession of federal badges, identification cards, and other insignia. The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office charges included one count of first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, 16 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon related to 16 assault weapons, 13 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon related to possession of 13 firearm silencers, and three counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument.

The District Attorney’s office posted photos on Facebook of the weapons and evidence they found inside Downey’s residence. The images show a wall of AR-style rifles, a sawed-off shotgun, suppression devices, and several rows of fake FBI badges.

Ron Walsh, the Rockland County District Attorney, said in a statement, "Anyone who takes an oath of office to serve the public and is entrusted to by their community to serve its constituents should have integrity beyond reproach."

According to the Rockland/Westchester Journal News, Downey was elected in 2019.

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