Half-kilo of cocaine leads to guilty plea

Brandell Watkins

GUILDERLAND — A Utica man pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, in front of Judge Peter Lynch in Albany County Court on April 10.

Brandell Watkins, 31, was arrested by the New York State Police at approximately 7 p.m. on March 12, on Interstate 87 in Guilderland, according to a release from the Albany County District Attorney’s office.

Watkins was stopped for speeding, and officers observed marijuana residue in plain view on the rear driver’s side floor of his vehicle; a search of the car revealed 500 grams of cocaine in the rear driver’s side wheel well, the release said.

Watkins faces seven years in state prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision, when he is sentenced on June 5.

Assistant District Attorney Joseph Brucato of the Street Crimes Unit is prosecuting this case.

More Guilderland News

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.