Schenectady man pleads guilty to gun, drug charges

A Schenectady man is facing five years in prison after admitting to gun and drug charges.

Russell Piper, 24, was arrested on March 31 in the area of Henry Johnson Boulevard. Police found him carrying a 9 mm loaded handgun with one bullet in the chamber. The gun was modified to be fully automatic, according to the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.

Piper also admitted to having several plastic baggies with nearly 25 grams of crack cocaine.

He pleaded guilty in Albany County Court on Monday to attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 14.