A South Main Street resident, charged with dealing in firearms without a license, is expected to appear today in U.S. District Court in Buffalo. Robert Merrick, 76, of 395 S. Main St., was arrested without incident on the federal firearms charge at about 7:30 a.m. today after Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents executed a search warrant at his residence. “He’ll be transported today for an initial appearance (arraignment),” said David P. De Joe, ATF resident agent in charge. “It’s a federal warrant from the Western Judicial District of New York.” De Joe said the investigation began about six months ago. He said agents would be searching Merrick’s house and vehicle. “We haven’t even started the search yet,” De Joe said at about 8:20 a.m. today. “There’s quite a quantity of firearms. I’m not even going to hazard a guess (as to how many weapons there are) — a lot.” De Joe did not elaborate on the specific weapons Merrick has allegedly been illegally dealing. “The execution of the warrant was assisted by the Wellsville Police Department and the New York State Police,” De Joe said, crediting Wellsville Lt. Timothy Walsh and Officer Mark Bierman for their assistance. De Joe said the judge at Merrick’s initial appearance will only be able to accept an innocent plea. “He (Merrick) might make bond, he might be held and detained,” De Joe said. “That’s up to the judge.” ...
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A South Main Street resident, charged with dealing in firearms without a license, is expected to appear today in U.S. District Court in Buffalo. Robert Merrick, 76, of 395 S. Main St., was arrested without incident on the federal firearms charge at about 7:30 a.m. today after Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents executed a search warrant at his residence. “He’ll be transported today for an initial appearance (arraignment),” said David P. De Joe, ATF resident agent in charge. “It’s a federal warrant from the Western Judicial District of New York.” De Joe said the investigation began about six months ago. He said agents would be searching Merrick’s house and vehicle. “We haven’t even started the search yet,” De Joe said at about 8:20 a.m. today. “There’s quite a quantity of firearms. I’m not even going to hazard a guess (as to how many weapons there are) — a lot.” De Joe did not elaborate on the specific weapons Merrick has allegedly been illegally dealing. “The execution of the warrant was assisted by the Wellsville Police Department and the New York State Police,” De Joe said, crediting Wellsville Lt. Timothy Walsh and Officer Mark Bierman for their assistance. De Joe said the judge at Merrick’s initial appearance will only be able to accept an innocent plea. “He (Merrick) might make bond, he might be held and detained,” De Joe said. “That’s up to the judge.” ...