(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Miguel Enrique Astudillo Ruiz, 24, a Salvadoran national, was indicted for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and other related charges, for allegedly possessing a loaded firearm in his vehicle at Nissequogue State Park in Smithtown.
“This defendant allegedly possessed a loaded firearm in a state park, putting law-abiding families and other park visitors at serious risk,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We cannot allow our communities to be endangered by those who show such disregard for our laws and our safety. My office will continue pushing for policies that prioritize the protection of Suffolk County residents and the integrity of our laws.”
According to the investigation, on April 4, 2026, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Smithtown Park Rangers observed a vehicle parked outside an abandoned building in a restricted area of Nissequogue State Park, which was previously the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. Upon further investigation, the park ranger allegedly observed expended shell casings in the cupholder of the vehicle between the driver and passenger seats. The defendant was allegedly seen by the park ranger near the vehicle collecting scrap metal from the building.
A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly revealed a loaded 9mm Taurus handgun with a magazine capable of holding more than 10 cartridges.
Suffolk County Police lifted a latent fingerprint off the magazine found inside the gun. Fingerprint comparison by the Suffolk County Police Department later determined that the print allegedly matched that of the defendant.
On April 17, 2026, Astudillo Ruiz was arraigned on the indictment before Supreme Court Justice John B. Collins for the following charges:
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony;
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony; and
• Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a Class E felony.
Justice Collins ordered Astudillo Ruiz held on $50,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $500,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Astudillo Ruiz is due back in court on May 7, 2026, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.
The United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement has lodged a detainer to deport Astudillo Ruiz following this prosecution.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sean Lorthioir of the Major Crime Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detective Marissa Demeo of the Suffolk County Police Department’s Fourth Squad.