A former Schenectady man has pleaded guilty to a tampering with physical evidence charge in connection with a domestic incident from 2022.

Fabian Hance was arrested after police said he repeatedly hit the mother of his then-3-month-old child on Aug. 30, 2022. The victim was able to escape and Hance left the scene through a fenced-in backyard nearby and hid a black backpack in the yard, according to the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office.

When the homeowner called to report the backpack, officers found a 9 mm loaded pistol as well as a box of ammunition containing another 41 rounds. Hance’s DNA was found on the gun, investigators said, and he was seen at home video surveillance footage at the scene.

Hance was indicted on an attempted criminal possession of a weapon because the gun would not successfully fire when the trigger was fired. He also was charged with tampering with physical evidence and harassment. Hance pleaded guilty to the tampering charge in satisfaction of the indictment.

He is expected to receive a sentence of 1 ½ to 3 years in prison when sentenced on June 27. The judge issued an 11-year order of protection for the victim.