Troopers raided a NY man’s home for child pornography. They stumbled on a hoard of illegal weapons

trooper gun bust

State troopers found 13 illegal assault rifles at the home of John R. Yungbluth on Aug 14, 2024 during an investigation into child sex crimes, troopers said.Courtesy

Tonawanda, N.Y. — When state troopers raided a Tonawanda man’s home for child pornography they found a hoard of illegal weapons, troopers said.

On Wednesday troopers conducted a raid at the home of John R. Yungbluth, 37, as part of an investigation into possible child sex crimes, troopers said.

They found “over 30 pieces of computer evidence” for their investigation.

They also found 13 illegal assault rifles and at least 85 large-capacity magazines, troopers said.

Troopers did not specify what about the assault rifles was illegal.

Yungbluth has a pistol license in the state but had two unregistered handguns, troopers said.

He was arrested and charged with possessing a sexual performance by a child, first-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, troopers said.

Yungbluth is being held in the Erie County jail on $25,000 bail, troopers said.

Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.

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