SCHENECTADY, NY — Three 18-year-old men were arrested and three illegal handguns were seized following an incident on State Street on March 19, 2026.
Officers from the Schenectady County Street Crimes Task Force attempted to stop and speak with three individuals walking in the area of State Street and Chestnut Street at approximately 8:35 p.m.
While speaking with two of the individuals, each was found to be in possession of an illegal handgun and were taken into custody.
A third individual left the area, prompting officers to begin a search with assistance from the department’s Drone Unit.
The individual was located a short time later hiding in the backyard of an address on Catherine Street.
The drone pilot guided a Schenectady police officer on the ground to the individual, who was also found to be in possession of an illegal handgun and was taken into custody.
Jerome W. Smalls, 18, of Schenectady, was charged with one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony.
Genito R. Acosta, 18, of Schenectady, was charged with one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony.
Eeian M. Patterson, 18, of Schenectady, was charged with one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, a class C felony.
