ERIN, NY (607NewsNow) – A Chemung County man awaits his day in court.

On February 4, State Police arrested 42-year-old Robert Budnick, of Erin, after a three-month investigation. Following the execution of a search warrant, troopers allegedly found methamphetamine, 20 firearms including some with defaced serial numbers, high-capacity magazines, a large amount of ammo, binary explosive material, and chemicals and equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine.

Weapons and other items seized by authorities on 2-4-25 in the Town of Erin. Credit: NYSP

Seized Items

  • 4 oz. methamphetamine oil
  • 1 oz. crystal methamphetamine
  • scales and packaging materials
  • $4700 cash
  • 1 AK-47 assault rifle
  • 1 AR-10 assault rifle (ghost gun)
  • 1 SKS assault rifle
  • 2 sawed-off shotguns
  • 8 bolt-action rifles
  • 1 lever-action rifle
  • 6 shotguns
  • 11 high-capacity magazines
  • 10,000 rounds of assorted ammo
  • 20 pounds of binary explosive material
  • chemicals and equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine

Budnick is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a weapon. He’s being held in Chemung County Jail on $250,000 cash bail.

Another man at the residence, 40-year-old Buck Bates, of Elmira, was charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance.