ALBANY, NEW YORK – In a grim reminder of the dangers of unregulated gun sales, 45-year-old Sean Patrick of Watervliet has pleaded guilty to dealing firearms without a license.
Patrick’s guilty plea marks a significant blow to the city’s efforts to combat gun violence, and serves as a stark warning to others who would follow in his footsteps. According to court documents, Patrick admitted to building and selling four non-serialized, semi-automatic pistols between June 2021 and November 2022, without being licensed to do so.
The investigation into Patrick’s activities was led by the FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The task force, which includes members of the Colonie and Watervliet Police Departments, worked tirelessly to gather evidence and build a case against Patrick.
On November 10, 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant on Patrick’s residence, recovering a staggering array of firearms, ammunition, and fabrication tools. The search uncovered four privately manufactured, non-serialized, semi-automatic pistols, another semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, assorted gun kits, and over a thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
Patrick’s sentencing is scheduled for September 19, 2024, before Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Khan. If convicted, Patrick faces a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. The defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court based on the particular statute he is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
The case against Patrick is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon is prosecuting the case, and the FBI’s Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force is commended for their tireless efforts in bringing Patrick to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regulating gun sales and holding those who would abuse the system accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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