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An Albany police officer is facing serious legal trouble after being arrested on drug trafficking charges following an eight-month investigation by New York State Police.
Nathan M. Ensel, 45, of Rensselaer, who has served with the Albany Police Department since 2012, was arrested on Friday (January 23) along with Leocadio J. Espinal, 46, of Astoria. Both men face multiple felony charges after investigators executed search warrants in Rensselaer and Greene counties, according to a news release from State Police.
During the searches, authorities seized approximately five ounces of cocaine, drug paraphernalia including packaging materials and scales, and an undisclosed amount of cash. A law enforcement source familiar with the case told the Times Union that Ensel was pulled over Friday night and found to be in possession of the cocaine. He is accused of selling the drug while off-duty.
Both suspects have been charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (possession of a narcotic exceeding four ounces), an A-II felony; third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (possession with intent to sell), a B felony; and two counts of second-degree criminal use of drug paraphernalia, an A misdemeanor.
Following their arraignment in Rensselaer City Court, both men were remanded to the Rensselaer County Jail without bail.
The Albany Police Department released a statement confirming that Ensel has actually been suspended since August 29, 2025, due to a separate administrative investigation that "ultimately led the department to seek termination." The department emphasized that the current criminal charges are "unrelated to the officer's duties or any matter involving the Albany Police Department."
Albany County District Attorney Lee Kindlon, whose office initiated the investigation last year, stated: "If we are to have faith that justice is blind and no one is above the law, then we must follow leads wherever they may take us. Any defendant is innocent unless proven otherwise, so we must now let the criminal justice process play out."
Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs also addressed the situation in a statement, saying, "The Applyrs administration supports the Albany Police Department in its commitment to holding our officers to the highest standard of accountability, as they are the foundation of our city's public trust."
The investigation, which involved the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit in Binghamton, with assistance from Troops G and C, and coordination with the Albany County District Attorney's Office, remains ongoing.