Watervliet man pleads guilty in stolen gun, drug trafficking case

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)– A Watervliet man has pleaded guilty to gun possession charges in connection to a drug trafficking and stolen gun investigation from 2022. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Kwahpreme Mitchell, 34, faces five years to life in prison.

In October 2022, the Calamity Jane’s Firearms and Fine Shoes shop was burglarized, with a total of 31 handguns stolen. According to police, by November 2022, a total of 11 suspects were arrested, including Mitchell.

Mitchell was arrested for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and first degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

On Friday, September 12, Mitchell admitted to receiving firearms from two co-defendants Johnathon Combs and Martin Taft, who had stolen the guns from Calamity Jane’s Firearms and Fine Shoes and in exchange, Mitchell agreed to give the two 150 grams of cocaine to distribute.

Mitchell also admitted to giving Combs 3.5 grams of cocaine base in exchange for a shotgun.

According to officials, Mitchell could not legally own firearms, as he had been previously convicted of a felony drug charge.

“Mitchell, already a drug felon, admitted to using drugs to purchase stolen firearms. Drugs and guns are always a dangerous combination, which is why we will prosecute every armed drug dealer we can find,” Acting U.S. Attorney John Sarcone said.

“The individual involved in this operation posed a significant threat to public safety, and his guilty plea is a testament to the results we can achieve when agencies work together,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven James said.

The case was investigated by New York State Police, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Mitchell is expected to be scheduled for his crimes on January 9, 2026. In addition to prison, he faces a fine up to $250,000 and probation up to 5 years, after his release.