James Edwards, a 30-year-old from Rensselaer, New York, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing ammunition, according to a recent announcement by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Albany Field Office. Edwards admitted to having more than 40 rounds of various caliber ammunition inside his residence on October 8, 2024. His prior felony conviction legally barred him from owning ammunition.
Edwards is scheduled for sentencing on August 5, 2025. He could receive a maximum of fifteen years in federal prison, along with a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release. Sentencing will be determined by a judge, considering the specific statute in question, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and additional factors.
The investigation is conducted by the FBI, supported by the Rensselaer Police Department and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss is handling the prosecution, under the scope of Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a key initiative by the Department of Justice to lessen violent crime. It is an evidence-based program known for its efficacy in curbing such activities. PSN involves collaboration from various stakeholders to pinpoint and address the community's urgent violent crime issues with strategic solutions. The initiative aims its enforcement at the most aggressive offenders and partners with local prevention and reentry programs for enduring crime reduction. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, interested parties are encouraged to visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.