Stephentown Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Gun and Drug Convictions

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joshua Stegemann, age 39, of Stephentown, New York, was sentenced today to serve 30 years of imprisonment, to be followed by lifetime supervised release, for (i) possessing cocaine, heroin, and oxycodone with the intent to distribute; (ii) possessing two handguns in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and (iii) unlawfully possessing three firearms and ammunition as a felon. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, New York Division, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

Stegemann was convicted in August 2015 following a jury trial.  The evidence at trial showed that Stegemann, a longtime resident of Stephentown, used his house and surrounding property as a base of operation for his drug trafficking business.  On April 30, 2013, investigators executed a search warrant at Stegemann’s house and surrounding property, and recovered large amounts of cocaine, heroin, and oxycodone pills, along with two loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun, and over $296,000 in U.S. currency.  Most of these items were found hidden either inside of Stegemann’s house or in and around various landscaping features on his property, such as rock gardens, a stump pile and pine trees.

On May 3, 2013, investigators recovered a safe hidden by Stegemann in a Pittsfield, Mass. residence.  The safe was found to contain more than $160,000 in U.S. currency.  Cumulatively, investigators recovered more than 600 grams of cocaine, more than 30 grams of heroin, more than 700 oxycodone pills, three firearms, dozens of rounds of ammunition, and more than $450,000 in U.S. currency. 

The investigation was initiated by the Massachusetts State Police, who were subsequently joined by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, the DEA, and the New York State Police.   This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rick Belliss.