Investigators say a tip about mailed gun magazines led to a warrant and a haul of chemicals and a 3D printer.
SALEM, MA — A man with ties to southern New Hampshire is being held on $100,000 bail after investigators said he gathered chemical materials that could be used to make destructive devices and collected firearm parts in his Salem apartment, following a tip about shipments sent to a Bedford, New Hampshire, address.
The case has drawn attention because it began with a report about deliveries crossing state lines and ended with authorities describing a mix of regulated gun components and highly reactive chemicals inside a home on a busy street near downtown Salem. The investigation is being handled by state and local authorities, and it is now moving into court as prosecutors argue the items posed a public safety risk while the defense says the evidence does not show any plan to harm anyone.
Patrick Gordon, 42, was arraigned in Salem District Court after Massachusetts State Police and the Massachusetts attorney general’s office said they executed a search warrant at his Harbor Street apartment on Dec. 22. Investigators said they seized large quantities of fuels and oxidizers, along with other materials they described as consistent with making destructive or incendiary devices. They also said they recovered firearm parts commonly associated with assault-style rifles and a 3D printer that authorities believe was used to produce so-called ghost gun components. Gordon pleaded not guilty, and a judge set $100,000 cash bail.
Authorities said the inquiry started a week earlier, on Dec. 15, when state police were alerted to a purchase and shipment of large-capacity magazines sent to Gordon’s mother’s home in Bedford, New Hampshire. As investigators followed up, they said they learned Gordon had also ordered firearm-related items and a kit capable of producing about four pounds of thermite, a pyrotechnic material that burns at extremely high temperatures. Investigators said they reviewed purchase records and tracked recent shipments connected to Gordon and his Salem address as they built probable cause for a search warrant.
During the search, investigators said they found an unknown amount of flash powder, a sensitive pyrotechnic mixture commonly tied to fireworks that can ignite from heat, shock, friction or static electricity. Prosecutors said flash powder is illegal to possess under Massachusetts law in any amount. Authorities also described “explosive-proof” containers and small metal projectiles such as ball bearings among the items connected to Gordon’s online purchase history, saying the collection of materials raised alarms even if some items can have legal uses on their own.
Officials did not publicly describe any specific target or location tied to an alleged plot, and they did not accuse Gordon of making or planting an explosive device. Instead, they focused on what they said was the buildup of ingredients and equipment. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office said in a public statement that the seized fuels and oxidizers could be used alone or in combination to create destructive or incendiary devices. Investigators also said Gordon did not have a valid Massachusetts license to carry or a firearm identification card, which authorities said is required for many firearms and related items under state law.
Neighbors and downtown workers saw a heavy police presence around Harbor Street the day the warrant was served, with portions of the area restricted as investigators carried items out of the building. Salem police announced at the time that Harbor Street was closed during a state police investigation. The street runs close to the city’s historic waterfront and tourist areas, and the visible police activity drew attention in a city that is often crowded even in colder months. Authorities said the safety steps were taken to control the scene and handle potentially hazardous materials during the search.
In court filings and public summaries, investigators pointed to what they said was a months-long pattern of online orders and deliveries. Authorities said Gordon had received shipments over roughly six months connected to firearm parts and chemical components. They described the 3D printer as equipment that can be used to manufacture untraceable firearm parts, and they said some of the seized components were consistent with assault-style weapons under Massachusetts law. Prosecutors charged Gordon with possession of an incendiary device and possession of an assault weapon, and they indicated the case could expand as evidence is analyzed.
The defense pushed back on the state’s view of the case. Gordon’s attorney, Thomas Gately, said his client has no Massachusetts criminal record, is employed and has a college degree. Gately also said Gordon has no history of violence and made no threats in the matter described by prosecutors. He said Gordon’s last court case was an operating-under-the-influence offense from 2008 in New Hampshire. Gately also questioned whether an AR-15-style rifle referenced by investigators was functional, saying the defense has information suggesting it was not an actual working firearm.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, argued for high bail based on what they described as the hazards tied to the materials recovered and the concerns that first prompted police to look into Gordon’s activity. Investigators said they received warnings about Gordon’s background and mental health history, including prior interactions with law enforcement, though authorities did not detail those incidents in public statements. In their public description of the search, authorities emphasized the volatility of flash powder and the risk of combining fuels and oxidizers, noting that some substances can become dangerous when stored improperly or mixed.
The case also highlights how modern investigations often hinge on shipping records and digital purchases rather than a single incident at a crime scene. Investigators said they traced deliveries, reviewed online buying histories and tracked packages connected to Gordon’s residence. Authorities said the initial tip centered on a cross-border shipment to New Hampshire, and they described the Bedford address as a key piece of the early timeline. Officials have not said whether any items were found in New Hampshire, and no New Hampshire charges were announced in connection with the shipment described by Massachusetts investigators.
Gordon is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 20, 2026, for the next stage of proceedings, according to court and law enforcement statements. Prosecutors are expected to continue reviewing seized materials and any digital evidence, including purchase histories and shipping records, as they prepare for a probable cause hearing and potential additional charges. Authorities have not released a full inventory of everything taken from the apartment, and they have not said whether forensic testing is still underway on any powders or chemical substances recovered during the search.
For now, the investigation remains centered on what investigators say they found in the Harbor Street apartment and what they argue it suggests about intent and capability. Defense lawyers are expected to challenge both the interpretation of the items and whether they meet legal definitions under Massachusetts law. The next court date will determine whether Gordon remains in custody and how quickly the case advances toward hearings that could further spell out what authorities believe he was preparing to do, if anything.
Author note: Last updated December 25, 2025.