Albany man arrested on gun, drug charges after traffic stop

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- An Albany man reportedly resisted arrest during a traffic stop Wednesday night. Albany County Sheriff's Office said Alex Rivera, 42, faces multiple charges including resisting arrest and weapon and drug charges.

According to deputies, around 9:48 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted near First Street and Lexington Avenue for a traffic violation. Rivera was the reported driver, who allegedly began to physically fight deputies before being placed under arrest.

Upon an initial search, Rivera allegedly had a Smith and Wesson 9 milli-meter semi-automatic handgun with a high-capacity magazine. He was also reportedly found with crack cocaine, which was reportedly intended for distribution based on its weight, and a digital scale.

According to deputies, Rivera was also driving with a revoked driver's license. He was charged with:

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a class C felony
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a class D felony
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a class C felony
• Criminally using Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor
• Resisting Arrest, a class A misdemeanor
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor
• Multiple Traffic Violations

Rivera was transported to the Albany County Correctional Facility as a pre-arraigned detainee. He is scheduled to appear in Albany City Court on Thursday.