Schenectady Man Detained for Possesion of Illegal Firearms

ALBANY, NY—United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and John F. Pikus, Special Agent-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albany Division, announced that at a bail hearing held on May 7, 2010, LANCE E. POTTER, age 34, of Schenectady, New York, was ordered detained without bail by United States Magistrate Judge Randolph F. Treece. Potter had been arrested on May 5, 2010 by members of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and subsequently was charged in a criminal complaint that alleged that he possessed an SKS 7.62mm rifle; a Western Field Model 15K sawed-off shotgun; a Western Field 12-gauge pump shotgun; a New England Firearms 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun; a Smith and Wesson .44 caliber revolver; a Colt .38 caliber revolver; and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, after having been previously convicted of a felony offense, in violation of Title 18, United States Code Sections 922(g)(1) & 924(a)(2). The complaint further alleges that some of the firearms had their respective serial numbers either removed or obliterated.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Social Security Administration, Office of Inspector General, the New York State Police, and the Schenectady Police Department. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is comprised of representatives from the Troy Police Department, the Albany Police Department, the New York State Police, the Vermont State Police, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Internal Revenue Service.

FBI Special Agent In Charge (SAC) John Pikus confirmed that searches were executed by members of the JTTF at two of POTTER’s residences in Schenectady. SAC Pikus commented that “this is another example of the kind of effective law enforcement that is possible when federal, state and local authorities work in close cooperation.”

This prosecution will be handled in the United States Attorney's Office by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Belliss.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.