Troy man pleads guilty to drug, weapon charges

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Richawn McClain, 26, of Troy, pleaded guilty Monday to gun and drug possession charges. McClain admitted to having and intending to sell fentanyl and cocaine, and to having a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

In March 2024, McClain was arrested on an indictment accusing him of possessing over 900 oxycodone pills, having a cocaine-fentanyl mixture and unlawfully possessing a firearm. The gun, a Glock .40 caliber handgun has been modified into a machine gun, according to an indictment.

In his guilty plea, McClain admitted that on January 9, 2024, he had a handgun that had been modified to make it into a machine gun, 32 grams of cocaine and more than 900 fentanyl pills. McClain also admitted to having $22,770 with the drugs, in which he must give up.

McClain faces a mandatory term of at least 10 years to life followed by probation of at least three years to life. He also faces a $1 million fine.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino III of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement Monday. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Reiner and investigated by the DEA.