LI man arrested after 22 guns found behind ‘false wall’ in basement closet
A Long Island man was arrested after authorities discovered nearly two dozen high-powered firearms hidden behind a wall in his home.
Todd Pinnell, 54, was taken into custody Friday evening when Suffolk police found the arsenal concealed behind a “false wall” in a basement closet at his Lindhurst residence.
The cache included 14 handguns, eight assault rifles, and multiple ammunition feeders, according to ABC 7. Among the weapons were four ghost guns — firearms without serial numbers, often sought by criminals seeking to avoid detection.
“The number of weapons found could almost be said to be shocking to the conscience,” Judge Alonzo Jacobs said during a bail hearing Saturday. Pinnell’s bail was set at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond, more than double what prosecutors had requested.
Police were conducting a parole check at Pinnell’s home when the weapons were discovered. He had previously been arrested in 2023 and convicted of misdemeanor criminal weapons possession, Newsday reported.
Pinnell now faces 47 felony weapons charges. His attorney, Anthony Grandinette, argued that Pinnell is primarily a collector with no criminal record prior to 2023.
“He’s a gun enthusiast and a range shooter,” Grandinette told the court, noting Pinnell has worked in security for 10 years with expertise in firearm management. “He has been involved with firearms legally throughout his life, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and brother. The location of these firearms posed no threat to the public.”
Grandinette added that none of the recovered weapons were loaded. “This clearly indicates there was no intent to use any of the firearms,” he said.
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