Wheatfield Man Arrested on Multiple Weapons Charges Following Search Warrant Execution

A Wheatfield man was arrested on multiple weapons-related charges following the execution of a search warrant by state authorities on February 26, 2025.

According to the New York State Police (NYSP), 43-year-old Justin A. Schoelles was taken into custody by the Troop A Community Stabilization Unit. He has been charged with multiple felony counts, including two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for assault weapons, two counts for possessing a silencer, and 20 counts related to high-capacity magazines. Additionally, Schoelles faces misdemeanor charges for the unlawful purchase of body armor and the unlawful possession or sale of noxious materials.

The search warrant was executed at a property on Niagara Road in Wheatfield with the assistance of several law enforcement units, including the Special Investigations Unit in Buffalo, the CTIU NICS West, the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) from Lockport, and the NYSP Bomb Disposal Unit. Authorities seized multiple weapons as evidence.

Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were notified and responded to assist in the investigation.

Schoelles was transported to the State Police barracks in Lockport for processing before being taken to the Niagara County Jail for centralized arraignment.

The investigation is ongoing, and no additional details have been released at this time.