Albany Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Firearm

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Charles E. Williams, age 34, of Albany, pled guilty today to possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. 

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and United States Marshal David L. McNulty made the announcement.

On November 18, 2021, the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force tracked Williams to a hotel to arrest him for a kidnapping.  When searching his hotel room, the Marshals found a .357 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver. Williams is prohibited from possessing the firearm as a result of a prior New York State felony conviction for assault in the first degree.  Additionally, a jury convicted Williams of kidnapping in the second degree a few months ago, and he pled guilty to assault in the second degree in Rensselaer County last month. 

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes will sentence Williams on March 4, 2024.  The conviction carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of post-release supervision of up to 3 years.  A judge imposes a defendant’s sentence based on the particular statute a defendant violated, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

The U.S. Marshals Service investigated the case with assistance from the North Greenbush Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is prosecuting the case.