Zaiqua Acosta, Unlawful Firearm Possession, New York 2020

ALBANY, NEW YORK - In a shocking turn of events, 21-year-old Zaiqua Acosta has pleaded guilty to being a felon in unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Acosta, a resident of Albany, was found in possession of a loaded Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol on May 5, 2020. The loaded pistol was recovered from Acosta's front waistband during a police search.

Acosta's guilty plea comes as a result of a prior conviction in Albany County Court for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property-Fourth Degree, a Class E Felony, on May 6, 2016. As a result of this conviction, Acosta is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

As part of his plea, Acosta faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn on January 21, 2021. Acosta has been in custody since June 26, 2020.

The case was investigated by the ATF and Albany Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Williams.

Zaiqua Acosta, 21, of Albany, New York, is a defendant in a federal case charging Unlawful Firearm Possession. The exact criminal charges against Acosta are being a felon in unlawful possession of a firearm.

The city and state where the crime occurred are Albany, New York.

The exact date of the crime is May 5, 2020.

The sentence or outcome for Acosta is up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn on January 21, 2021.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/albany-felon-pleads-guilty-unlawful-firearm-possession