Burrillville man arrested on gun charges in court Thursday

BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (WLNE)- A Burrillville man that was arrested after police seized 211 guns and pounds of ammunition from his home in late February appeared in court Thursday for a hearing on whether to revoke a judge’s decision to release Andruchuk.

Judge Jack McConnell stated he was “mind-boggled” by the case and needed time to review the facts before making a decision.

The case involves what court documents call “an arsenal of weapons”. Back in February, police conducted a search of 37-year-old Ronald Andruchuk’s home where they found more than 200 guns and thousands of rounds, according to United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Police responded to Andruchuk’s home for the ninth time regarding shots fired. When police arrived they could still hear shots being fired inside the house.

Investigators say that Andruchuk’s wife admitted that he possessed firearms in their home, but stated that those firearms were locked up.

Upon entering, Andruchuk was found carrying multiple firearms and methamphetamine while wearing a bullet proof vest.

Police found firearms in a bedroom, basement, kitchen cabinets, across the floor, and in gun safes left open. Police also found assorted ammunition throughout the first and second floor.

According to charging documents, in the fall of 2021, ATF became aware that Andruchuk purchased 169 firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers between July and November. It is alleged that, when making the purchases, Andruchuk made false statements on ATF applications about his drug use.

Documents obtained by ABC6 also show that Andruchuk was also making ghost guns.

Andruchuk is charge with possession of a firearm as a prohibited person, false statements in an application to purchase firearms, and causing false records to be kept by a federally licensed firearm dealer.

According to court documents, “Judge Sullivan considered establishing exclusion zones around firearm dealers as a condition of release; however, it appears that this is impractical given the number of locations in the state at which the defendant might acquire firearms. Even if that idea were feasible, it does not protect the public from the defendant’s ability to access firearms through others.”

The court says, “The United States has taken the rare and unusual step of appealing the Magistrate Judge’s order of release. While the United States appreciates the thought and concern Judge Sullivan has put into trying to achieve a compromise solution to the problem posed by the defendant, the United States respectfully disagrees.”

This is a developing story, check back to ABC6 for updates.