ALBANY, NY – Calvin Strong, 30, of Watervliet, is headed to federal prison for 85 months after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition despite a prior felony conviction. The bust, a grim reminder of the revolving door of justice for repeat offenders, came to light following a routine check by the U.S. Probation Office.
On November 23, 2021, probation officers conducting a search of Strong’s Watervliet residence uncovered a Glock Model 23CGEN4, .40 caliber pistol, along with 15 rounds of ammunition. The discovery immediately flagged a violation of federal law, as Strong was already barred from owning either due to a previous firearm-related felony.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) took over the investigation, working alongside the U.S. Marshals Service and the Watervliet Police Department. Special Agent in Charge John B. DeVito’s team built a solid case proving Strong knowingly violated the terms of his previous conviction, landing him back in the system.
Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin Jr. didn’t mince words during sentencing, handing down the 85-month prison term. Beyond the lengthy incarceration, Strong was also ordered to pay a hefty $7,500 fine, a slap on the wrist for some, but a significant financial burden nonetheless. He will also face a 3-year term of supervised release upon his eventual release from prison.
U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman, speaking through a Justice Department release, stated the case underscores the commitment to keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted felons. But for those living in neighborhoods plagued by gun violence, the sentence, while significant, may feel like a temporary fix to a deeply rooted problem.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss prosecuted the case, meticulously presenting the evidence gathered by the ATF and its partner agencies. This case serves as a stark illustration of how federal and local law enforcement collaborate to address gun crime, but the cycle continues as long as illegal firearms remain accessible to those with criminal histories.
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