ALBANY, N.Y. – Derbie Michel, 32, formerly of Troy, is facing serious time after admitting to illegally possessing ammunition despite a lengthy criminal record. The plea comes after a high-speed chase last year where Michel allegedly attempted to discard evidence, including the contraband, according to federal prosecutors.
Michel, who already has three prior felony convictions, confessed to being in possession of five rounds of ammunition on October 15, 2022. The incident unfolded as Michel fled from Troy Police Department officers, tossing the ammunition from his vehicle in a desperate attempt to evade capture. But that wasn’t all he threw; court documents reveal he also jettisoned a privately made firearm – a so-called “ghost gun” – during the same pursuit.
U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the FBI, announced the guilty plea Tuesday. The case was built on evidence gathered by the FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, a multi-agency operation involving federal agents and local law enforcement from the Troy Police Department, alongside assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua R. Rosenthal and Allen J. Vickey are now tasked with seeing Michel brought to justice. The potential penalty is steep: up to 15 years behind bars, a fine reaching $250,000, and a potential three-year stretch of supervised release following imprisonment. The final sentence will be determined by Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., on June 20, 2024, taking into account sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors.
The case underscores the ongoing federal effort to crack down on illegal gun trafficking and hold accountable individuals with prior convictions who attempt to possess firearms or ammunition. Michel’s attempt to evade police and discard evidence only deepens his legal woes, adding to a pattern of criminal behavior that will likely weigh heavily during sentencing.
This isn’t just about five bullets and a homemade gun; it’s about a repeat offender disregarding the law and putting the community at risk. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing, ensuring transparency and accountability within the federal justice system.
Related Federal Cases
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- Federal Defendant Sentenced for Weapons Possession, New York NY, 1983 · Massachusetts
- Terry Dewayne Monk, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Tyler TX, 2023 · Texas
- Alexander Rivera-Santiago Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of F… · Florida
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