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Two individuals from Albany are facing multiple charges following a police investigation that uncovered drugs and a stolen firearm. Stephen Johnson, 49, was sentenced to five years in state prison after pleading guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. The charges stemmed from an incident in December 2024 at the Albany Airport Inn, where police discovered a stolen Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun and a small quantity of cocaine in Johnson's vehicle.
The investigation expanded with a search warrant executed on a hotel room, leading to the seizure of fentanyl, methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and other drugs. Alongside Johnson, Jaylene E. Brown, 39, of South Glens Falls, and Craig C. Heerlein, 35, of Whitehall, were arrested for the drugs found in the room. Both Brown and Heerlein face charges of criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell and other related offenses.
The Colonie Police Department commended their officers for removing the illegal handgun and significant amounts of illicit drugs from the streets. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Stephen Lydon of the Major Crimes Unit.