Gun Possession Charges Dropped Against NY Armed Citizen

By Cam Edwards

A 64-year old man who used his late father’s handgun to defend himself against two home invaders has seen charges of illegally possessing a firearm dropped by a prosecutor months after his arrest.

Ronald Stolarczyk never faced any charges in connection with the fatal shootings of Patricia Talerico and Nicholas Talerico as the pair were breaking into Stolarczyk’s home. Instead, the 64-year old faced a felony charge of possessing an unregistered handgun in the state of New York. Now, according to Stolarczyk’s attorney, the homeowner won’t be facing the possibility of years in prison for possessing his dad’s handgun without registering it with the state.

The charge against Stolarczyk was dropped in Deerfield town court Monday night after the Oneida County District Attorney’s office made a motion to dismiss the charge and the judge agreed, Mark Wolber, Stolarczyk’s lawyer, told Syracuse.com | The Post Standard today.

Wolber said he has asked from the outset that the charge be dropped “in the interest of justice” and had numerous conferences with the DA’s office on the subject.

Today, Stolarczyk is “very relieved,” Wolber said. “He’s not a very emotional person, but is very happy this is over with.”

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