Schenectady man arrested on felony weapon charges after loaded handgun found during Thruway traffic stop in Guilderland

Albany, New York – A Schenectady man is facing felony weapon charges after New York State Police say a traffic stop on the New York State Thruway led to the discovery of a loaded handgun he was not legally allowed to possess.

On July 16, 2026, troopers assigned to State Police Troop T at SP Albany, along with members of the Troop G Bureau of Criminal Investigation, arrested 45-year-old Kevin Phillips of Schenectady following the investigation.

According to police, the incident began at approximately 4:19 a.m. when troopers conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle traveling southbound on Interstate 87 in the town of Guilderland. The stop was initiated because of vehicle and traffic law violations.

During the course of the investigation, troopers identified the motorcycle operator as Phillips and discovered that he was allegedly in possession of a loaded handgun. Further investigation revealed that Phillips had a previous felony conviction, which authorities say prevented him from legally owning or possessing a firearm.

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As a result, Phillips was taken into custody and charged with several offenses, including Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree for allegedly possessing a loaded firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree due to his previous conviction, and a vehicle and traffic law violation.

Following his arrest, Phillips was transported to Troop T at SP Albany for processing. He was later arraigned in Guilderland Town Court, where he was released under the supervision of the Albany County Probation Department.

State Police did not provide additional details about the traffic violation that led to the initial stop or the specific circumstances surrounding the firearm discovery. The investigation was handled by troopers from multiple State Police units as part of their efforts to address illegal firearm possession and public safety concerns.

Authorities continue to remind the public that individuals with certain criminal convictions are prohibited from possessing firearms under state law. Illegal possession of a loaded weapon can result in serious criminal charges and significant legal consequences.

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The case will continue through the court system following Phillips’ arraignment. Additional information may become available as the legal proceedings move forward.

New York State Police regularly conduct traffic enforcement operations across the state, including along major transportation routes such as the Thruway, to address traffic violations, identify criminal activity, and help maintain public safety. In this case, what began as a routine traffic stop led to the discovery of an alleged weapons offense and the arrest of a driver who police say was prohibited from possessing a firearm.