Former Eleanor Slater carpenter charged with storing ghost gun at hospital

A former carpenter at the Eleanor Slater State Hospital in Burrillville is facing two felony charges in Providence Superior Court for allegedly bringing a ghost gun to work and storing it in his locker.

Kenneth Fullam, 60, was arrested by Rhode Island State Police last November after an investigation that began with a complaint from an employee. Fullam first appeared in Providence District Court on Nov. 23, 2022, on a felony charge of intent to manufacture, sell, purchase, or possess an untraceable firearm. 

Fullam’s bail was set at $20,000. He was released after posting surety, which is 10% or $2,000.

His case was moved to Superior Court on April 3.

The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office announced Tuesday that Fullam will be arraigned June 30. Fullam left his position at the hospital in December.

A State Police report said Eleanor Slater’s Human Resources Department was provided information “that several members of the maintenance staff had been bringing firearms on site of Zambarano Hospital.” 

“Additionally, it was alleged that one weapon was known to be kept in the maintenance building, in a safe or lockbox,” the report read. 

In their investigation, state troopers discovered a metal wall locker with a keypad lock. After it was opened by Fullam, officers reportedly found an AR-15 rifle with no serial number identification markings, along with two boxes of spent shell casings and one box of reloadable projectiles.

When the gun was located, Fullam reportedly told officers, “l was hoping you wouldn’t find that.” 

After turning over the rifle, Fullman was placed on administrative leave and resigned from his $48,818 a year position on Dec. 9. 

As a condition of his bail, Fullam was ordered to turn over all his firearms, to have no contact with the hospital or Department of Administration, and was issued a no-trespass order for the Eleanor Slater Hospital.

The charges filed in Superior Court come after Attorney General Peter Nerhonha released a report highlighting ghost guns as a growing problem across the state.

“Think ghost guns aren’t a problem? Think again,” Neronha wrote in a tweet Tuesday morning.

“Enforcing the laws we already have.” But didn’t until two years ago. Think ghost guns aren’t a problem? Think again. https://t.co/6By9RrXxpX

— Peter Neronha (@PeterNeronha) April 18, 2023