Kingston, NY—On May 7, 2024, Adam P. Kopoulos, age 34, of the Town of Rosendale, pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C violent felony, before the Honorable Bryan Rounds in Ulster County Court.

The defendant was arrested on March 2, 2023, by the Rosendale Police Department who responded to a 911 call regarding a specified vehicle traveling on Lucas Avenue. Rosendale police officers were assisted by the Town of Ulster Police Department. The ensuing investigation led to the recovery of a loaded and operable privately manufactured “ghost gun” and 440 glassine envelopes containing fentanyl.

The plea followed a ruling that physical evidence recovered during the investigation would be admitted in evidence at a jury trial which was scheduled to begin July 29, 2024.

District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji commented that “ghost guns evade detection and tracking; they help drug traffickers and murderers escape law enforcement systems designed for the safety of our communities and law enforcement. Ghost guns and fentanyl are among our most pressing public safety concerns; their continued illegal manufacture and use present a high risk to law enforcement and our community. We are, as a community, thankful to our local law enforcement for taking these deadly drugs and loaded ghost gun off our streets. It is the priority of this Office to vigorously prosecute these cases for the safety of our community.”

Sentencing is scheduled for July 29, 2024.

This case was prosecuted in close collaboration with the Town of Rosendale Police Department, with assistance from the Town of Ulster Police Department. Assistant District Attorney Kristen Druse, who also leads the Gun Violence Unit, is prosecuting the case.  Defendant is represented by Kingston attorney Cappy Weiner.

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