Shaiquan Wright, 21, of Schenectady, New York, pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon — a charge that exposes him to up to a decade behind bars. The admission, delivered in federal court in Albany, marks the latest fallout from a 2017 encounter that landed Wright back in the crosshairs of federal prosecutors.
According to court documents, Wright admitted to walking through Schenectady on September 28, 2017, while in possession of a Raven Arms, Model MP 25, .25 caliber pistol. The weapon, easily concealable and often referred to as a ‘Saturday night special,’ is a frequent player in urban gun crimes. At the time, Wright was legally barred from possessing any firearm due to prior felony convictions.
The bust came as part of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and the Schenectady Police Department. Authorities moved in after gathering evidence linking Wright to the weapon. No shots were fired, and no additional charges related to use or intent to distribute were filed, but the mere possession was enough to trigger federal penalties.
Wright now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release following any incarceration. Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. will impose sentence on August 1, 2018, weighing the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, the nature of the offense, and Wright’s criminal history.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is prosecuting the case, underscoring the federal government’s continued push to target repeat offenders with access to firearms. ‘This is not a first-time mistake,’ said a DOJ source familiar with the case. ‘This is a pattern. And federal law slams the door shut on felons who pick up guns.’
The ATF, led in the region by Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict, has intensified operations in upstate New York, focusing on illegal gun trafficking and possession. Wright’s case exemplifies the agency’s strategy: leverage federal statutes to lock up high-risk individuals, even when no violent act occurs. For now, Wright waits — his fate in the hands of a federal judge.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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