Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen announced today that Timothy J. Feldman (DOB 1/12/2001) pleaded guilty in the Saratoga County Court to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a “Class D” Felony in violation of New York State Penal Law § 265.02(3), in connection with his July 2023 arrest for possessing a loaded “ghost gun” in downtown Saratoga Springs.
A Caroline Street bouncer located a firearm on the Defendant’s person as he attempted to enter a local bar during the early-morning hours of July 23, 2023. The bouncer immediately flagged down nearby members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department who quickly approached the Defendant, took possession of the firearm, and led the Defendant away from the crowded Caroline Street.
Upon closer inspection, the Saratoga Springs Police Department determined that the firearm did not possess a valid serial number and was therefore an untraceable, illegal “ghost gun” whose prevalence has surged throughout New York State over the past several years. The Defendant, a former Schoharie County Corrections Officer, later admitted that he did not possess a valid pistol permit and that he purchased the firearm components online and built it himself.
The Defendant will be sentenced on January 8, 2024 to two-to-six (2-6) years in State Prison, waived his right to appeal, and surrendered the firearm at issue for destruction.
“This is yet another example of hardworking Caroline Street business owners working alongside the Saratoga Springs Police Department to confront our city’s ongoing issues with loaded firearms downtown,” said DA Heggen.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Joseph Frandino together with District Attorney’s Office Investigator Jack Barney.
DATED: October 17, 2023