Rensselaer man pleads guilty to illegal weapon possession

ALBANY, N.Y. — Andrew Williams of Rensselaer, recently pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a rifle as a previously convicted felon.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement in a press release.

Williams, 38, admitted on May 2, 2023, he possessed the rifle and 15 other firearms, as well as ammunition, at his residence in Rensselaer, the release said. A prior felony conviction for burglary in the third degree prevented Williams from legally possessing the firearms and ammunition.

Williams will be sentenced on Sept. 4 by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. Williams faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to three years, the release said.

This case was investigated by ATF and the East Greenbush Police Department, with the assistance of the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emmet O’Hanlon and Mikayla Espinosa are prosecuting the case.