DA: Long Beach man trafficked weapons packed in diaper boxes near police department

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A Long Beach man is accused of trafficking illegal weapons down the block from a police station. James Jayshaun Edwards has been indicted for allegedly selling illegal weapons, including ghost guns, from his Long Beach apartment. The Nassau County district attorney says two of those weapons were traced to multiple shootings. Officials say the 33-year-old lived on Birch Court, close to the Long Beach Police Department and would bring the guns out in duffel bags and diaper boxes. “The defendant allegedly conducted a brazen illegal open-air weapons trafficking business just steps away from Long Beach Police Department Headquarters, packaging up high-powered weapons in duffle bags and diaper boxes and selling them in broad daylight in front of his home,” said District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “Our investigation determined that two of the guns were used in multiple shootings that injured four victims in Westbury and Long Beach dating back to 2021, which are currently being prosecuted by my office. This multi-jurisdictional operation not only made the streets of Long Beach safer but has provided us with a key piece of evidence to aid in those prosecutions. Together with our law enforcement partners, we continue to take out traffickers who are bringing weapons into Nassau County, disrupt the pipeline of illegal guns, and save lives.” James Jayshaun Edwards pleaded not guilty and was held on bail; he faced up to 25 years in jail if convicted. Bail was set at $500,000 cash, $750,000 bond, and $1.5 million partially secured bond. The defendant is due back in court on Sept. 20, 2024. "