The New Jersey State Police have charged Christopher Liston, 35, and James Liston, 73, both of Cape May Court House, N.J. with various weapons offenses and seized several illegal firearms during a cooperative gun theft investigation.
On July 8, detectives from the New Jersey State Police Firearms Investigations Unit were contacted by members of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) to assist with a stolen firearm investigation at a licensed gun dealership in Hamilton Township, Atlantic County.
Members of the BATF believed that a package containing a 5.7 caliber handgun was intercepted and stolen by Christopher Liston and that he brandished a 9mm handgun from his pocket while at a gun dealership a few days prior.
As a result of the investigation, detectives discovered that Christopher Liston has purchased the gun out of state and arranged to have it delivered to the dealership.
During the transaction, he fraudulently re-routed the delivery of the package to a post office in Rio Grande, N.J. where his father, James Liston, took possession of the firearm.
On July 9, officers with the Hamilton Township Police Department located Christopher Liston at his residence in Cape May Court House. Officers arrested him without incident and seized the 9mm handgun he allegedly brandished at the dealership.
The New Jersey State Police continued the investigation and on July 11, detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at the residence.
While searching the residence, detectives recovered the 5.7 caliber handgun and seized four assault rifles, two 60-round magazines, five 30-round magazines, and one 20-round magazine.
Among the assault rifles seized was a short barrel assault rifle “ghost gun” manufactured by Christopher Liston. A “ghost gun” is an unregistered and un-serialized firearm assembled from parts. Generally, these guns must be machined into operable firearms and are considered illegal in the state of New Jersey.
Christopher Liston was charged with:
• Four counts of unlawful possession of weapons
• Six counts of prohibited weapons and devices
•Three counts of manufacturing, transporting, disposition, and defacement of weapons
•Two counts of violation of regulatory provisions relating to firearms
•Certain persons not to have weapons
James Liston was charged with:
•Four counts of unlawful possession of weapons
•Five counts of prohibited weapons and devices
•Three counts of manufacturing, transporting, disposition, and defacement of weapons
•Two counts of violation of regulatory provisions relating to firearms
Christopher Liston is lodged at the Atlantic County Jail pending a detention hearing. James Liston was released pending a court hearing.
Charges are merely accusations, and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.