Charges against Long Island dentist in ghost gun case dropped after evidence obtained during unlawful police raid.
The legal proceedings against Paul Carey, a 65-year-old dentist from Long Island, have been dismissed due to police misconduct. Carey’s case, which once held the potential for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, dramatically shifted following a judge’s ruling that declared the police raid leading to his arrest illegal.
The ruling came from New York Supreme Court Justice Robert Schwartz, who found that the police raided Carey’s residence unlawfully on February 16, 2022. During this operation, authorities uncovered a significant cache of weaponry, including 20 firearms, 18 of which were classified as “ghost guns” lacking serial numbers. This incident had initially resulted in 73 charges against Carey.
The legal entanglement began when Carey’s then-secretary contacted law enforcement, alleging that he had threatened her with a firearm during an incident at his dual-purpose home and dental practice located in Massapequa. Following this report, police were dispatched to the scene, where Carey reportedly barricaded himself inside. In an effort to gain access to the residence, law enforcement reached out to Carey’s estranged wife, Darlene, who had moved out and no longer held ownership of the property.
Initially, it was stated that Darlene granted permission for the police to enter the home, thereby justifying the warrantless search. However, subsequent revelations indicated that she experienced undue pressure to allow the police to access the premises. By the time she signed the necessary documents, the police had already forcibly entered the home, leading to the discovery of the illegal firearms.
Carey’s legal troubles were compounded by a previous incident in 2012 when he discharged multiple rounds in his backyard, thereby prohibiting him from legally possessing any firearms. Nonetheless, the judge’s determination that the initial raid was unconstitutional left prosecutors with no viable evidence to support their case. Consequently, the case against Carey was dismissed and sealed.
In response to the ruling, a spokesperson for the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office expressed respect for the court’s decision, while the community observes the implications of this high-profile case involving gun possession and law enforcement protocols. The development raises pressing questions about police conduct in the execution of search warrants and the rights of individuals during such encounters.
As this case concludes, it serves as a reminder of the critical balance between public safety and legal integrity within the judicial system.
