Regional EMS chief, ex-FBI agent, charged after illegal weapons found at home, in storage unit

A former FBI agent, who is an EMT and current head of the Regional Emergency Medical Services Council of New York, has been arrested after illegal ghost guns, assault weapons and other weapons equipment  were seized during raids at his Queens home and a Port Washington storage unit, the Queens District Attorney's Office said.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Wednesday that Scott Chiang, 53, of Queens Village, was arrested Oct. 10 and arraigned Friday in Queens Supreme Court. He was remanded by Judge Germaine Auguste. Records show he is scheduled to appear Oct. 31 before Judge Edwin I. Novillo.

As part of a 242-count criminal complaint, Chiang is charged with first, second, third and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal sale of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, make/transport/dispose/deface weapons and dangerous instruments, unlawful possession of a pistol or revolver ammunition and lack of a certificate of registration.

Chiang also is charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

According to the district attorney's office, search warrants executed at Chiang's home in Queens Village and on a storage unit in Port Washington resulted in the seizure of 18 illegal firearms, including eight ghost guns and six assault weapons, as well as high-capacity magazines, ammunition and gun manufacturing tools. If convicted, Chiang faces 25 years in prison.

Among the items recovered from search of the storage unit were five loaded, fully assembled assault rifles, each, with the ability to accept a detachable magazine and a pistol grip.

Also seized were: a Glock 22-style .40-caliber ghost gun pistol; a Glock 22-style .40-caliber ghost gun pistol; a Black Legions USA Inc. 12-gauge shotgun; a Remington 870 Tactical 12-gauge shotgun; an MKA1919 12-gauge shotgun; and 10 unserialized lower receivers and other equipment and ammunition.

An additional search of Chiang's home by officers from the New York Police Department’s Financial Crimes Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Queens District Attorney’s Detective Bureau seized a number of additional ghost gun pistols, receivers, ammunition and passports — including a U.S. passport and a Republic of China passport each bearing his name.

The district attorney's office said that while the search warrant was being executed, a postal carrier delivered a package, addressed to Chiang, to the house. That package contained a complete Glock pistol slide and barrel, Katz said in a statement.

Peter Tillen, an attorney for Chiang, said in an email statement: "Mr. Chiang is yet another law-abiding citizen caught up in the unending web of New York’s unclear, confusing, and unconstitutional firearms regulations. Unquestionably, Mr. Chiang is a former FBI Agent, paramedic, and executive director of a not-for-profit with no prior criminal history.

"The allegations against Mr. Chiang are simply that he possessed items which while illegal in New York, are legal in the overwhelming majority of States. The undisputed evidence is that Mr. Chiang was a hobbyist who never used any weapons in any dangerous or illegal way," the White Plains attorney said in the email.

According to the complaint, members of the district attorney's Crime Strategies & Intelligence Bureau conducted a long-term investigation into Chiang’s online purchase of polymer-based, unserialized firearm components, which Katz said can easily be assembled into operable firearms that are untraceable.

Possession of so-called ghost guns and ghost gun parts is illegal in the New York.

Katz said a check of the License and Permit Systems database revealed Chiang does not hold a license to possess or own firearms in New York City, despite having worked for the FBI New York Field Division from April 2004 until November 2005.

"Individuals who choose to stockpile lethal, illegal firearms in Queens need to think again," Katz said in a statement, adding: "Ghost guns cause unspeakable tragedy, and my office will continue to meticulously go after illegal firearms and those who manufacture and use them. "

In an email statement, Joseph Raneri, Acting Executive Director of the EMS Council said: "The Council is aware of the legal issues being faced by Executive Director Scott Chiang. The Council, it’s officers and staff take this matter seriously and are fully committed to continuing to meet our mission in supporting EMS throughout the region.

"Considering these developments, Mr. Chiang has been placed on leave so he may focus on resolving these personal matters. The Regional EMS Council of NYC continues to operate as usual, and all services will remain available," the statement said.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”