Troy man pleads guilty to weapon possession

TROY, N.Y. » A Troy man recently pled guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in Rensselaer County Court, according to District Attorney Joel Abelove.

Abelove said that on Tuesday, Sept. 11, Joshua

Aponte, also known as “Pharoah” and “Joshua Solano”, 30, pled guilty to one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C violent felony, in satisfaction of a 10-count indictment.

Officials said on Sept. 7, 2017, members of the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Teamexecuted a search warrant on Aponte’s residence following four controlled purchases of cocaine. Of-

ficials said the search revealed a loaded firearm as well as more cocaine and scales.

A news release said Aponte was living under the assumed identity of Joshua Solano, as he was wanted out of Ulster County for a 2015 drug conviction.

Officials said Aponte had previously been convicted of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Fifth Degree, a class E felony, in 2009. He was sentenced to one to three years of state prison.

Abelove said as a result of the plea, the defendant will be sentenced to twelve years

in state prison, to be followed by five years of postrelease supervision.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 8, 2018, at the Rensselaer County Courthouse and will be held before County Court Judge Jennifer G. Sober.

“This dangerous, repeat felon was dealing drugs while illegally possessing a gun. I commend the New York State Police for their hard work in helping to remove this menace from our streets for a long time,” said Abelove in the release.

Assistant District Attorney Carl Rosenkranz prosecuted the case.