East Meadow man faces weapons, abuse charges

An East Meadow man who led State Police to a weapons cache in his home was arraigned Saturday on assault, marijuana possession and weapons charges.

Michael R. Anderson, 27, is charged with third-degree assault, five counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and marijuana possession. He was released from jail after his mother posted $10,000 cash bail.

Police said the investigation began Friday morning when Anderson's 28-year-old girlfriend drove up to a State Police trooper on the Wantagh State Parkway in East Meadow and said she had been assaulted.

Anderson was arrested a short time later on the parkway as he approached on foot, police said.

Earlier that morning, Anderson allegedly choked, punched and pushed his girlfriend down a flight of stairs, prosecutor Michelle Walsh told Judge Fred J. Hirsh Saturday at First District Court in Hempstead Village.

The judge issued an order of protection on her behalf. "Stay away from her, wherever she may be," he told Anderson.

Police said Anderson had led them to the arsenal after admitting to owning weapons while being questioned Friday about the domestic violence allegations.

Investigators searching a room at Anderson's Bernice Drive home found hidden 14 guns, including two assault rifles, a sniper rifle and two grenade launchers.

Anderson had no permits for the weapons, police said. Officers said they also found a clear plastic bag of marijuana in the home and a glass pipe with drug residue in his jacket pocket.

Legal Aid attorney Yolanda Guerra, representing Anderson at the arraignment, said he works at the Dave & Busters restaurant-arcade in Westbury and has a child.

He lived in Hewlett for 26 years before moving to East Meadow, Guerra said.

After the hearing, Anderson's mother described him as a "wonderful, wonderful boy."

"I love him dearly, and I support him," she said, declining to give her name.

Anderson's next scheduled court date is Tuesday. He could not be reached for comment.

With Kery Murakami

and Keith Herbert