Shirley Man Arrested Following Large-Scale Firearm Arrest
SHIRLEY – District Attorney Marian Ryan and Shirley Chief of Police Samuel Santiago have announced that Jeffrey Dusti, 62, of Shirley, was arraigned today in Ayer District Court in connection with a large-scale firearm bust that occurred Tuesday in Shirley. Dusti is charged with 47 counts of possession of a firearm without a license, 44 counts of possession of a silencer, possession of a loaded firearm without a license, possession of ammunition and possession of a sawed off shotgun.
Judge Margaret Guzman ordered the defendant held without bail pending a 58A scheduled for November 5.
“The defendant is alleged to not only have been in possession of multiple illegal firearms, but to also have been illegally modifying the guns making them all the more dangerous,” said District Attorney Ryan. “Simply put, there is no reason that a person with good intentions would require a silencer. Those devices are strictly made for violent and insidious purposes. I am grateful to the work of the State Police Gang Unit whose investigation led to the defendant’s arrest without incident. Thankfully these dangerous weapons will not be making their way onto our streets and into our communities.”
On October 30, 2018 at 3:15 p.m., the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit executed a search warranton Dusti’s home on the Great Road in Shirley. State Police had been informed that Jeffrey Dusti was allegedly in possession of a homemade silencer. Upon arrival authorities allegedly observed a sawed off shotgun in plain view. Upon completion of the search of the residence State Police also allegedly located approximately 35,000 rounds of ammunition, 44 homemade silencers and 47 unlicensed firearms.
At the time of the defendant’s arrest he had an open warrant out of Ayer District Court on charges of assault and battery on a person over the age of 60, two counts of making annoying phone calls and witness intimidation in connection with an unrelated offense.
This is an ongoing investigation and additional charges may issue. There is no danger to the public.
These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
This case is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Gang Unit, the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Shirley Police Department, State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit.
The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney William R. Freeman.