VALATIE — Members of the New York State Police Troop K Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team received credible information July 7 at approximately 3:15 p.m. indicating that Brandon P. Anderson-Maldonado, 22, of Nassau, was the subject of an active warrant issued by Albany County.
In coordination with the Troop K Community Stabilization Unit, New York State Police Aviation Unit, and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, members conducted a traffic stop on a Volvo traveling on U.S. Route 9 in the village of Valatie.
During the stop, State Police K9 Vinn positively alerted to the presence of narcotics.
Based on the alert, investigators conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, which resulted in the recovery of a loaded Taurus GX2 semi-automatic pistol belonging to Anderson-Maldonado.
Additional firearms were also located within the vehicle, including a Taurus TCP .380 semi-automatic pistol with ammunition and a Zoraki M807 semi-automatic starter pistol.
These items were determined to be in the possession of Jason M. Battaglia, 22, of Clifton Park.
Both Anderson-Maldonado and Battaglia were taken into custody and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C felony.
The defendants were arraigned in the Town of Kinderhook Court and remanded to the Columbia County Jail.
Bail for Battaglia was set at $50,000 cash, a $75,000 partially secured bond, or a $100,000 fully secured bond.
Bail for Anderson-Maldonado was set as $50,000 cash, a $75,000 partially secured bond, or a $200,000 fully secured bond.
