Guns, Meth, and Mechanicville: NY Man Gets Nearly 8 Years After Explosive Trial

ALBANY, NY — A Mechanicville man is headed to federal prison for nearly eight years after being convicted on a slate of drug and firearm charges stemming from a high-stakes meth distribution conspiracy that gripped his quiet New York neighborhood.

Charles Brennan, 45, was sentenced on Thursday, April 10, to 97 months in prison following a dramatic four-day federal trial in September 2024. Prosecutors say Brennan wasn’t just a low-level dealer—he played a key role in a methamphetamine ring operating in Saratoga County between July and September 2022.

When federal agents raided Brennan’s residence, they discovered 9 grams of pure meth, eight firearms, and a stockpile of drug paraphernalia and ammunition. One of the weapons—a pistol—had its serial number deliberately obliterated, a serious red flag that drew sharp attention from federal firearms investigators.

“This wasn’t just about drugs. This was about illegal firearms in the hands of someone operating in the shadows,” said U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III.

The jury agreed, convicting Brennan on several key counts: conspiracy to distribute meth, distribution, possession with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. However, Brennan dodged two charges for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, with jurors returning not guilty on those counts.

The sentence also includes four years of supervised release once Brennan completes his prison term.

The investigation was spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, part of a broader push under the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative — a national strategy to target violent offenders and disrupt criminal networks at the local level.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashlyn Miranda, Joseph S. Hartunian, and Allen J. Vickey led the prosecution.

For residents of Mechanicville and beyond, the case is a stark reminder that drug and gun trafficking isn't just a big city problem—it’s happening in small towns, too. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity as part of a community-wide effort to reduce violent crime.

Want to know more about how your neighborhood is being protected? Visit justice.gov/psn.