Andrew Williams, Illegal Possession of a Rifle, New York 2024

ALBANY, NY – Andrew Williams, 38, of Rensselaer is facing serious time after admitting he illegally possessed a rifle – along with a small armory of 15 other firearms – despite a prior felony conviction. The plea, entered today in federal court, exposes a dangerous pattern of disregard for the law and puts a convicted burglar back in the system.

According to court documents, on May 2, 2023, authorities discovered the cache of weapons and ammunition at Williams’ Rensselaer residence. A 2023 conviction for burglary in the third degree already barred Williams from legally owning any firearms. The discovery raises questions about how Williams acquired the weapons and whether they were connected to other criminal activity. Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were central to the investigation.

U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s New York Field Division, announced the guilty plea. While the agencies tout the success, the reality is a repeat offender was allowed to accumulate a significant arsenal despite a criminal record. The East Greenbush Police Department and the Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office also contributed to the investigation, highlighting a multi-agency effort to address gun crime in the region.

Williams now awaits sentencing on September 4, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. He’s looking at a potential 15-year prison sentence, a hefty fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of post-imprisonment supervised release. However, the final decision rests with the judge, who will consider federal sentencing guidelines and other mitigating or aggravating factors.

Federal prosecutors Emmet O’Hanlon and Mikayla Espinosa are handling the case. The prosecution is framing this as a victory for “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. PSN focuses on targeting the most violent offenders and partnering with local programs. Critics, however, often point out that PSN is a rebranding of existing efforts and doesn’t address the root causes of crime.

The case underscores the ongoing struggle to keep firearms out of the hands of convicted felons. While the ATF and local law enforcement celebrated the plea, the fact remains that Williams possessed a significant number of weapons despite being legally prohibited from doing so. This case will likely fuel the debate over gun control and the effectiveness of current laws aimed at preventing violent crime in the Northern District of New York.

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