ALBANY, NY — New York State Police arrested two Ohio men on weapons charges following a traffic stop on the Thruway on June 19, 2026.
Daron A. Swisher, 30, of Fairlawn, Ohio, was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, 2nd degree (loaded firearm), criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd degree (loaded high-capacity ammunition feeding device) and vehicle and traffic law violations.
Andrew A. Zirneskie, 31, of Lakewood, Ohio, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, 3rd degree (loaded high-capacity ammunition feeding device), criminal possession of a weapon, 4th degree (brass knuckles) and vehicle and traffic law violations.
Troopers assigned to Troop T, SP Albany and Troop G Bureau of Criminal Investigation stopped three motorcycles traveling southbound on the Thruway near mile marker 144 shortly before 9 p.m. for violations of vehicle and traffic laws.
During the investigation, troopers discovered Zirneskie was illegally in possession of a loaded high-capacity magazine and black brass knuckles.
With the assistance of State Police K9 “J”, troopers found Swisher was in illegal possession of two loaded handguns and a high-capacity ammunition feeding device.
All items were seized.
The operator of the third motorcycle was ticketed for vehicle and traffic law violations and released at the scene.
Both Swisher and Zirneskie were transported to Troop T, SP Albany for processing.
They were arraigned at Bethlehem Town Court and remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility in lieu of $30,000 cash, $40,000 bond or a $60,000 partially secured bond.
