Albany Man Arrested on Federal Firearms Possession Charge
A 37-year-old Albany man was arrested Thursday and charged with illegal possession of firearms, according to federal authorities.
Christopher Wright faces a federal charge after law enforcement officers allegedly found seven firearms, ammunition, and suspected narcotics in his residence. Wright, who has a prior felony conviction in New York, is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Authorities also reported that one of the firearms had been reported stolen in July 2024.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are leading the investigation, with assistance from the Colonie Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
Wright appeared in federal court in Albany before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart on Thursday, where he was ordered to remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for March 25.
If convicted, Wright faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. However, sentencing will ultimately be determined by a judge based on federal sentencing guidelines and other factors.
Authorities emphasized that the charge is an allegation and that Wright is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.