WILMINGTON, DE — Three men face gun-related charges following a Wilmington police investigation that led officers to execute search warrants in Wilmington and Claymont.
Police said members of the Gun Intelligence Unit had been investigating 23-year-old Andre Pierce and 22-year-old Cleve Wright when officers executed a search warrant in the 700 block of Maryland Avenue at approximately 6 a.m. Sept. 18.
According to police, 19-year-old Jelani Ponzo fled from the residence as officers executed the warrant. Police reported locating Ponzo a short time later and taking him into custody without further incident.
Officers also located Wright and took him into custody without incident, police said.
During the search, police reported recovering a loaded 9mm handgun equipped with a switch attachment, a loaded rifle, two additional switch attachments, ammunition and a red-dot optic. Investigators said the rifle had been reported stolen to the Ridley Township Police Department.
Police subsequently executed another search warrant in the unit block of Hickman Road in Claymont, where officers located Pierce and took him into custody without incident.
Pierce was charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited. He was arraigned in New Castle County Court of Common Pleas and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $20,000 cash-only bail.
Wright was charged with possession of a destructive weapon. He was arraigned in New Castle County Court of Common Pleas and released after posting $5,000 secured bail.
Ponzo was charged with possession of a destructive weapon and resisting arrest. He was arraigned in New Castle County Court of Common Pleas and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $51,000 cash-only bail.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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