Atniel Pagan, Drug & Gun Trafficking, Albany NY, 2023
ALBANY, N.Y. – Atniel Pagan, 24, of Catskill, is staring down a potentially lengthy prison sentence after admitting today to running a drug operation and illegally possessing firearms. The bust, a joint effort between federal and local law enforcement, uncovered a significant stash of cocaine and a pair of untraceable “ghost guns.”
According to court documents, Pagan pled guilty to possessing 225 grams of cocaine and 22 grams of cocaine base with the intent to distribute. The drugs were found at an Albany apartment Pagan used as a base of operations. But the narcotics weren’t his only illicit tools. Pagan, already a convicted felon, also possessed a loaded, privately manufactured, semi-automatic AR-style rifle and a similarly constructed pistol – commonly known as “ghost guns” due to the lack of serial numbers and traceability.
Federal investigators say Pagan armed himself to protect his drug supply and the cash he made peddling poison. The U.S. Marshals Service initially arrested Pagan on a state warrant at his apartment. A subsequent search, conducted by Albany Police, turned up the drugs and the illegally manufactured weapons. The ATF provided assistance in the investigation, highlighting the growing concern over the proliferation of untraceable firearms.
Pagan now faces a minimum of five years, and potentially life, behind bars. He’s also looking at a fine of up to $1 million and a period of supervised release following his prison term, lasting anywhere from three years to life. U.S. District Judge Anne M. Nardacci will hand down the sentence on March 1, 2024. The final sentence will consider federal sentencing guidelines and other aggravating or mitigating factors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the U.S. Marshals Service, Albany Police Department, ATF, and the Greene County District Attorney’s Office. Officials state this takedown is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing violent crime through targeted enforcement and community partnerships.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by drug trafficking and the increasingly prevalent threat of illegal firearms, particularly those that circumvent traditional regulations. Law enforcement officials hope this conviction will send a message to others involved in similar activities: the risks far outweigh any potential reward. “We will continue to work with our partners to remove these dangerous individuals and weapons from our streets,” stated a source within the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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