LI School Custodian Accused Of Stockpiling Guns, Drugs Inside Home

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A school custodian appeared in court Thursday after he was arrested in a weapons and drug bust.

Police in Suffolk County raided the suspect's home on his birthday, CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported.

Patrick Musumeci got quite the wake-up call on his 30th birthday. Suffolk police with a search warrant entered his home on Wilmarth Avenue in Patchogue, where he lives with his parents and sister, and said they found many firearms and illegal drugs. The bust was of particular concern because Musumeci is a custodian in the Commack School District.

Police said two of the loaded handguns were stolen and four of the weapons were illegal assault weapons.

"They are illegal because they possess two of the features that are banned in New York state -- a pistol grip and a removable magazine. One of the weapons, this one hear, possesses the third illegal feature, which is a flash suppressor," Suffolk County Police Chief Stuart Cameron said. "It's disturbing to me that someone that works in a school in Suffolk County would possess drugs and illegal guns in their home."

Police said they also found boxes of ammunition, five sets of brass knuckles and a switchblade, plus illegal opioids and other drugs, along with cash and packaging supplies. Neighbors told police that they suspected pills were being sold out of the house and anonymously tipped off the CrimeStoppers hotline. Others were shocked to learn of Musumeci's occupation.

"The school part, that's not good," neighbor Jimmy Feragorni said.

"As a parent, I think its very disturbing. I have two children in middle school," another person said.

A spokesperson for the Commack School District told CBS2 the night custodian is now suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

"We want the community to know that we have no knowledge that this custodian was ever in possession of a weapon while on school property," the district said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor this situation closely and cooperate fully with the Suffolk police."

Musumeci was charged with several counts, including criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance. His attorney, Steven Politi, argued there is no connection between the weapons and drugs in the house and his client.

"There is no allegation of violence in this case. There's no allegation of threats," Politi said. "He comes from a very good family. He has never been as much as ticketed, so this is quite a shock."

Citing the numerous extremely serious charges, the judge set bond at $200,000. Politi said his client will vehemently fight the charges.