BEVERLY — A Beverly resident was arrested and faces multiple charges after police found a cache of weapons and evidence of antisemitic threats during a search of his home.
Matthew Scouras, 34, was charged with 12 counts of possession of a firearm without a license, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of a large capacity feeding device, improper storage of a firearm, threats to destroy a place of worship, willful communication of a threat with a dangerous item (a firearm), and making of a firearm without a serial number, according to Beverly Police Chief John LeLacheur.
The Beverly Police Department was alerted by the FBI National Threat Operations Center on Jan. 2 about a Beverly address linked to online posts threatening violence against Jewish people.
The posts, made on an internet image board, included threats to rape Jewish women and calls for others to shoot individuals outside of synagogues.
Police initially visited the Essex Street residence and subsequently obtained a search warrant.
During the search, authorities discovered a 9mm Glock “ghost gun” without a serial number, ammunition, three large-capacity rifle magazines, 11 lower receivers for various rifles, other firearm parts, scopes, pistol frames, a jig for modifying polymer pistol handles, rifle stocks, and over $70,000 in cash.
A Nazi flag and electronic devices were also found in Scouras’ bedroom.
Under Massachusetts firearm laws, each lower receiver is considered a separate firearm.
Scouras was taken into custody on Saturday following the issuance of an arrest warrant and was held for a mental health evaluation.
He was arraigned on Monday and is being held without bail ahead of a detention hearing set for Jan. 13.
