Christopher Wright, a 37-year-old resident of Albany, was arrested and charged with firearms possession as a previously convicted felon. The announcement came from United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, along with Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division.
The criminal complaint alleges that Wright had seven firearms at his residence—four pistols, a revolver, a rifle, and a shotgun—alongside ammunition and suspected narcotics. Due to a prior felony conviction in New York, Wright was prohibited from possessing these firearms legally. One of the firearms had been reported stolen in July 2024. It is important to note that these charges are accusations at this stage; Wright is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
If convicted, Wright faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine reaching $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on specific statutes violated by the defendant and guided by U.S. Sentencing Guidelines among other factors.
Wright appeared initially before United States Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart in Albany today and has been detained pending a detention hearing set for March 25, 2025.
The case is being investigated by ATF and DEA with support from the Colonie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is handling prosecution duties.