48 Guns Seized in Operation Casper; Helene, Theordore and Brandon Brois Charged
Google maps photo of the Brois home in North Castle
18 semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, two machine guns and a ghost gun in defendants’ home
On May 9, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah and North Castle Police Chief Peter J. Simonsen announced that three North Castle residents, who are family members from the same household, were arraigned on an indictment alleging the illegal possession of nearly 50 guns, including semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, machine guns and a ghost gun, found in their home.
DA Rocah said: “This case is another result of our strong partnership with local police to ensure greater public safety by seizing illegal guns and preventing these deadly weapons from infiltrating our communities.”
Chief Simonsen said: “What is most notable is that this investigation was proactive in nature, and thankfully did not come as the result of a tragic incident. It is most probable that this initiative, and its success, has prevented loss of life and victimization.”
The defendants were arraigned in Westchester County Court on May 9, 2023, after a Westchester County Grand Jury indicted the defendants on the following charges:
· Theodore Brois, 68, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (related to the alleged possession of five or more firearms), eight counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (related to the alleged possession of loaded assault weapons), and 12 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, all felonies.
· Brandon Brois, 25, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (related to the alleged possession of a loaded pistol), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (related to the alleged possession of five or more firearms), two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (related to the alleged possession of loaded assault weapons), four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, all felonies, and nine counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, misdemeanors. Brandon Brois has a prior conviction of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, which prohibits him from legally possessing any firearm.
· Helene Brois, 63, was charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (related to the alleged possession of five or more firearms), two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (related to the alleged possession of loaded assault weapons), and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, all felonies.
On January 25, 2022, at approximately 11:25 a.m., the North Castle Police Department arrested the three defendants who had no permits to legally purchase or possess firearms, and seized 48 guns, which were found in several rooms throughout the house. At least 15 of the guns were loaded.
The defendants’ arrests were a result of an investigation by the North Castle Police Department, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety’s Real Time Crime Center, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office.
The case is before Judge Anne Minihan in Westchester County Court, and is being prosecuted by the Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau of the Trials and Investigations Division.
The charges against the defendants are merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
