Rockland County District Attorney Announces Arrests in Ongoing Investigation into Illegal Firearms

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today the arrest of two individuals following an ongoing investigation into illegal firearms in Rockland County.

In May 2024, the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office received information about an illegal firearm component being shipped to Nanuet, NY. Detectives from the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Special Investigations Unit, who are also Federal Task Force Officers with the United States Department of Homeland Security, immediately launched an investigation into the recipients of the shipment.

Working in conjunction with Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the US Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York, it was discovered that numerous illegal firearm parts had been shipped to a home in Nanuet, NY. The investigation identified the residents of the home as Vivian Wu and Tao Zhang, who was previously convicted of a felony in 2015.

On July 2, 2024, a search warrant was executed at the residence by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, with the assistance of several law enforcement agencies, including the Clarkstown Police Department, New York State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The search resulted in the discovery of two loaded and un-serialized semi-automatic handguns, three high-capacity magazines, five major components of a firearm, and a large quantity of un-serialized ghost gun parts. The firearms were found within easy reach of two children, ages 7 and 9, living in the home.

Tao Zhang, 35, of Nanuet, NY, has been charged with multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second and Third Degrees, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Vivian Wu, 35, of Nanuet, NY, faces similar charges.

District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II stated, “This investigation is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to combat illegal firearms in Rockland County. The arrest of these individuals underscores the focus of my Office to keep the community safe from gun violence. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners on the federal, state, and local levels to ensure that illegal firearms are removed from our streets and that those who possess them are held accountable. I commend Homeland Security Investigations, United States Postal Inspection Service, US Attorney’s Office Southern District of NY, New York State Police, ATF, Customs and Border Protection, and the Clarkstown PD for their assistance in this investigation. ”

Tao Zhang and Vivian Wu were both remanded to the Rockland County Jail on $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond, and $200,000 partially secured bond. Supervising Assistant District Attorney Michael Peterson and Assistant District Attorney Eleanor Reilly are prosecuting the case.

It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.