A Schenectady man will spend a decade in federal prison after admitting he carried crack cocaine and a loaded handgun while riding through the city.
Nekie Ricks, 33, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute crack cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Ricks admitted that in late August 2022, he was riding his bicycle in the evening when Schenectady police stopped him for traffic violations and resisting arrest.
Officers found about 31 grams of cocaine base and cash in plastic bags in his pockets. Ricks also carried a cross-body Adidas bag that contained a loaded 9mm handgun and a high-voltage taser, which he used to protect his drugs and drug proceeds.
Prosecutors said Ricks was prohibited from possessing firearms because of two prior felony convictions.
U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino also ordered Ricks to serve four years of supervised release after he completes his prison term.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Schenectady Police Department investigated the case.
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