Loaded Gun Found In Car At LI State Park, Salvadoran National Indicted: DA

KINGS PARK, NY — A 24-year-old Salvadoran national was indicted after prosecutors said a loaded handgun was found inside his vehicle in a restricted area of Nissequogue State Park in Smithtown.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Miguel Enrique Astudillo Ruiz was charged with second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm after authorities recovered a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun and a high-capacity magazine from his vehicle.

According to both prosecutors and Town of Smithtown officials, the case began with a proactive patrol by Town of Smithtown Department of Public Safety officers on April 4 at approximately 2 p.m.

Officials said Sergeant Brendan Dennihy observed a man near a vehicle parked outside an abandoned building in a restricted section of Nissequogue State Park, a property formerly part of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. The man was seen loading scrap metal into the vehicle and signaling to two other individuals, officials said.

Authorities said the vehicle contained tools commonly used to remove metal, along with scrap materials already inside. Due to the suspicious circumstances, backup units were requested.

Fire Marshal Kyle McCarthy, Fire Marshal Matthew Lauri, and park rangers Michael Abbazia and Leyland Crocilla responded to assist, according to the Town.

During the interaction, Sgt. Dennihy observed expended shell casings in the vehicle’s center console, officials said.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a handgun protruding from beneath the passenger seat, according to Town officials. Prosecutors said the weapon was a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun with a magazine capable of holding more than 10 cartridges.

Astudillo Ruiz was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Suffolk County Fourth Precinct, where he was processed by Fourth Squad detectives, officials said.

Authorities also said Suffolk County police recovered a latent fingerprint from the magazine found inside the gun. A comparison later determined the print matched Astudillo Ruiz, according to the DA’s office.

Astudillo Ruiz was arraigned Friday, April 17, before Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice John Collins, prosecutors said.

He was indicted with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony; third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class D felony; and criminal possession of a firearm, a Class E felony, the DA said.

Collins ordered him held on $50,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond while the case is pending, prosecutors said.

Astudillo Ruiz is due back in court on May 7 and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count, according to the DA’s office.

He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“This arrest highlights the exceptional instincts and professionalism that our officers bring to the job every single day,” Smithtown Public Safety Director Thomas Lohmann said. “Their calm, measured approach and effective de-escalation tactics ensured that this incident was resolved safely and without injury.”

Authorities noted incidents involving illegal firearms are not common in the area and the arrest, reinforces the Towns commitment to area's heavily used by the public.

“The Kings Park Hike and Bike Trail is a highly frequented destination for walkers, bicyclists, and families,” Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim said. “This type of vigilance is critical to ensuring those spaces remain safe.”

Federal immigration authorities have also lodged a detainer seeking to deport Astudillo Ruiz after the criminal case is resolved, prosecutors said.

“This defendant allegedly possessed a loaded firearm in a state park, putting law-abiding families and other park visitors at serious risk,” Tierney said. “We cannot allow our communities to be endangered by those who show such disregard for our laws and our safety.”