COHOES, NY – A brazen act of betrayal landed 30-year-old Zachary Adams in federal court this week, as he admitted to pilfering a rifle directly from a delivery route. Adams, a former delivery driver, pled guilty to possessing a stolen firearm, a crime that carries a hefty potential prison sentence.
According to court documents, on May 25, 2019, Adams was tasked with delivering a rifle to a gun dealer in Hillsdale, New York. Instead of completing the delivery, he simply kept the weapon for himself. The scheme didn’t stop there; Adams then offloaded the stolen rifle to an acquaintance just days later, adding another layer of criminality to his actions.
The case was cracked by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with Special Agent in Charge John B. DeVito overseeing the investigation. U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman announced the guilty plea, signaling a swift and decisive response to the theft. This isn’t a simple case of misplacement; it’s a calculated violation of trust and the law.
Adams now faces the possibility of up to 10 years behind bars, a three-year term of post-release supervision, and a fine that could reach $250,000. The final sentence will be determined by a judge, taking into account federal sentencing guidelines and the specifics of the case. It’s a steep price for a moment of greed.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua R. Rosenthal is prosecuting the case, ensuring that Adams is held accountable for his actions. The ATF’s New York Field Division played a crucial role in uncovering the theft and building a solid case against Adams. This conviction sends a clear message: stealing firearms and diverting them into illicit channels will not be tolerated.
The incident highlights the constant threat of stolen weapons fueling crime and the diligent work of federal agencies like the ATF to combat it. While Adams’s motivation remains unclear, his actions have consequences, and he will now have ample time to reflect on his choices from a federal prison cell. The wheels of justice, however slow, have turned in this case.
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