Two Schenectady Men Sentenced To Prison For Separate Gun Possession Charges

Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that two men will be serving state prison sentences for possessing illegal guns in the city.

Russell Piper, 24, of Schenectady, was sentenced by the Honorable Andra Ackerman Monday to five years in state prison followed by three years of post-release supervision for pleading guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.

On March 31, Albany Police arrested Piper in the area of Henry Johnson Boulevard and Second Street after they found him carrying a Glock 9 mm loaded with 16 rounds in an extended magazine and one bullet in the chamber. The gun was also modified to be fully automatic.

Piper was also found with three plastic baggies filled with a total of 24.7 grams of crack-cocaine.

Assistant District Attorney Marissa Olsen of the Street Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.

Nakai Hayes, 21, of Schenectady, was sentenced by the Honorable Andra Ackerman Monday to five years in state prison followed by three years of post-release supervision for pleading guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree.

On Jan. 12, 2024, at approximately 12:45 p.m., Albany County Sheriff's Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the area of Central Avenue and Lark Street. While interviewing Hayes, Deputies spotted a loaded firearm magazine in the vehicle's front cup holder. They later found a semi-automatic ghost gun in the backseat area of the car, close to where an infant and small child were sitting.

Assistant District Attorney Collin D'Arcy of the Vehicular Crimes Unit prosecuted the case.