Thomas Hendricks Jr., Possession of a Loaded Firearm, New York 2022

ALBANY, NY – Thomas Hendricks Jr., 41, of Schenectady is headed to federal prison for nearly four years after admitting to illegally possessing a loaded 9mm pistol, despite a rap sheet that already disqualified him from owning any firearms. Hendricks was sentenced today to 46 months behind bars, a penalty handed down by U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.

The case unfolded after Hendricks brazenly brandished the weapon during a live-stream on his Facebook account back on June 20, 2021. Less than a week later, on June 28th, Schenectady Police executed a search warrant at his residence, recovering the same loaded pistol. The discovery triggered a federal investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Hendricks’ criminal history is what sealed his fate. He already carried two prior felony convictions – one for criminal possession of a weapon and another for aggravated cruelty to animals. These convictions under New York state law made it illegal for him to possess any firearm. The ATF’s New York Field Division, led by Special Agent in Charge John B. DeVito, took the lead on the investigation, working alongside the Schenectady Police Department and the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, headed by Carla B. Freedman, brought the charges against Hendricks. Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon successfully prosecuted the case, securing the 46-month sentence and a mandatory three-year term of supervised release upon Hendricks’ eventual release from prison.

Federal officials are framing this case as a win for “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative focused on reducing violent crime. PSN emphasizes targeted enforcement against the most dangerous offenders, combined with local prevention and reentry programs. The program aims to address the root causes of violence and offer pathways for rehabilitation, though whether Hendricks will embrace such opportunities remains to be seen.

While the sentence offers a temporary reprieve for Schenectady residents, it’s a stark reminder of the ongoing battle to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons. The ATF continues to investigate illegal firearm trafficking and possession throughout New York State, and the Grimy Times will be there to report on every bust and conviction.

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