Here's why a judge OKs release of Burrillville man with 'mind-boggling' arsenal of guns

PROVIDENCE — A federal judge on Monday refused to keep a Burrillville man with a “mind-boggling” cache of weapons behind bars, instead ordering that the gun enthusiast undergo intensive mental-health and substance-use treatment as his case proceeds.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr. rejected federal prosecutors’ request that the court revoke the release of Ronald Andruchuk, 37, as he faces charges that he possessed a firearm as a prohibited person, in this case an alleged drug user.

McConnell found Monday that the government had fallen short in establishing by clear and convincing evidence that there are no conditions that would reasonably ensure the safety of the community if Andruchuk is released to the home he shares with his wife and children.

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McConnell acknowledged there is strong evidence that Andruchuk “was an unlawful user of controlled substances, and that he knowingly made false statements on the firearms dealers’ records.”

“Mr. Andruchuk has a substance-use problem, and likely mental-health issues,” the judge said.

But, he concluded that those factors are outweighed by his characteristics as a lifelong Rhode Islander and family man with a clean criminal history. Andruchuk holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is pursuing a master’s degree in social work while employed as a social worker at the DaVinci Center in Providence.

“The response to a person, presumed to be innocent who allegedly commits a crime induced by these factors, is to treat the substance abuse and mental health issues, not detain him where a detention center will not likely be able to address those needs,” McConnell wrote. “Given Mr. Andruchuk’s lack of criminal history, significant ties to the community, and employment, this factor supports release.”

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McConnell observed in a footnote in his ruling that he referred to the more than 200 guns Andruchuk had collected as "mind boggling" at a hearing last week, but that it appeared no law prevents him from accumulating such an arsenal.

"While this fact continues to boggle the court's mind, the Court is committed to following and upholding the law as it is currently written," McConnell said.

In upholding U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Sullivan’s order that Andruchuk be released with conditions, McConnell found that the court can limit his access to guns, refer him to mental-health and substance-use treatment, and impose other restrictions.

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He set as conditions: preventing Andruchuk from buying, obtaining, manufacturing or possessing firearms; requiring him to remain sober and drug-free as he engages in intensive therapy; and ensuring the safety of the probation officers and police monitoring him.

To ensure the officers’ safety before his release, McConnell ordered a comprehensive search of his property for weapons or devices as well as the removal of a surveillance system. He directed Andruchuk, a onetime GOP candidate for the House of Representatives who ultimately failed to qualify for the ballot, to consent to unannounced searches of his home, property, person and vehicles.

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Federal agents seized more than 200 guns and a flame-thrower from Andruchuk's home on Tarkiln Road, where gunshots and projectiles were passing dangerously close to a neighbor’s family and concerned Burrillville police.

Authorities arrested Andruchuk and charged him with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, making false statements in applying to buy a firearm, and causing a firearms dealer to keep false records.

Cranston police in 2019 found Andruchuk in possession of numerous oxycodone pills, morphine, and naloxone after a suspected drug buy. He told officers at the time that he had just purchased the oxycodone pills and that he has a substance-abuse problem. He was charged with three drug counts and received a deferred sentence. The charges have since been expunged from his record, according to authorities.

Sullivan had ordered Andruchuk released with conditions, but the government moved to have him held without bail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Hebert had argued that Andruchuk’s reckless storing and shooting of firearms on his property and suspected drug use endanger the community.

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Andruchuk's neighbors on Monday reported hearing gunfire at all hours since he purchased the home in November.

"He's been shooting at night, at 11, 12," said James Carpenter, whose property borders the driveway Andruchuk shares with another neighbor who has young children.

With two shooting ranges nearby, it's not uncommon to hear gunshots, but not at those hours, when Andruchuk would fire off 50 to 60 rounds at his makeshift firing range, Carpenter said.

"Since he's been gone, I haven't heard a gunshot at night," Carpenter said.

While some neighbors declined to comment openly about Andruchuk's pending release, particularly with news that a flamethrower was included in his arsenal, Carpenter said guns are part of life in Burrillville. Town leaders declared it a Second Amendment Sanctuary City in 2019.

"I'm not worried. I've got guns too. We all shoot around here," Carpenter said upon hearing that McConnell had ordered Andruchuk freed.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Ronald Andruchuk, accused of illegally having 200 guns, granted bail