Watervliet Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Dealing Firearms Without a License

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Sean Patrick, age 46, of Watervliet, New York, was sentenced yesterday to 18 months in prison for dealing firearms without a license.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

As part of his guilty plea, Patrick admitted that between June 2021 and November 2022, he built and sold four non-serialized, semi-automatic pistols without being licensed to do so, filling out any paperwork, or paying any taxes in connection with the sales.  On November 10, 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant on Patrick’s residence in Watervliet, and recovered four more privately manufactured, non-serialized, semi-automatic pistols, another semi-automatic pistol with an obliterated serial number, assorted gun kits and fabrication tools, and over a thousand rounds of ammunition of various calibers.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “People need to sell firearms the right way, in accordance with federal law. If you deal firearms without a license, be ready to spend time in federal prison.  We will not tolerate the unlicensed sale of firearms in the Northern District of New York.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Patrick’s decision to bypass federal laws and manufacture and sell illegal weapons has landed him in federal prison. The FBI will continue to work with our partners at the United States Attorney’s Office to investigate anyone looking to push illegal firearms into our communities and ensure they are held accountable.”

Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. also imposed a 3-year-term of supervised release, a fine of $7,500, and ordered the forfeiture of multiple firearms and ammunition.

The FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force — which includes members of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Colonie and Watervliet Police Departments — investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney A.J. Vickey prosecuted the case.