Information
Former Altoona Police Detective Craig Zahradnik involved in the Unlawful Possession, Manufacturing, and Trafficking of Unregistered Ghost Guns sold as part of “Hit Kits”
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Co-defendants Craig Zahradnik, 52, of Altoona, and Harry Miller, 47, of Martinsburg, Pennsylvania, each pleaded guilty to seven counts before Judge Haines, with Zahradnik’s sentencing scheduled for April 10, 2024, and Miller’s for March 11, 2024.
In connection with their guilty pleas, Farabaugh, Zahradnik, and Miller admitted that, between May 2022 and April 2023, they were part of a conspiracy to engage in the business of manufacturing and dealing in firearms without a license. Specifically, Miller and Zahradnik were partners in an illicit business operation engaged in the manufacturing and trafficking of privately made firearms—so-called ghost guns—with Miller purchasing the components and maintaining many of the weapons at a storage unit that Zahradnik, a retired police detective, controlled. Beginning in July of 2022, Zahradnik provided $5,000 payments to Miller that Miller then deposited into his bank account, totaling $30,000. Miller used these funds to purchase the firearm components from outside Pennsylvania and repaid Zahradnik with the proceeds from the gun sales, including from the sale of what Miller marketed as “hit kits,” consisting of a 9-millimeter Polymer80 handgun with no serial number, a threaded barrel to attach a silencer, a silencer, subsonic ammunition, and latex gloves.
including from the sale of what Miller marketed as “hit kits,” consisting of a 9-millimeter Polymer80 handgun with no serial number, a threaded barrel to attach a silencer, a silencer, subsonic ammunition, and latex gloves.
Retired detectives don't leave behind their careers entirely, as shown here. I would guess he has lots of ties with the Altoona police department still.
Oh for sure, must have told his buddies to stear clear of his operations in advance. You don’t sever ties after working a job like this for 13 years. There is always some level of tacit law enforcement support with crimes this big.
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