AUSTERLITZ – State Police have arrested a 52-year-old Austerlitz man after executing a search warrant at a residence located at 289 Rigor Hill Road, which turned up a small arsenal of illegal weapons. The February 23 raid was conducted by members of the State Police Troop K Violent Gang and Narcotic Enforcement Team (VGNET) and members of the Special Operations and Response Team.
Gary Wood was taken into custody after the officers seized 59 illegally possessed firearms. Among the guns seized were 16 illegal assault rifles and two handguns. Approximately 17.7 grams of cocaine and $3,250 in cash were also seized. The search warrant, issued by the Columbia County Court, also resulted in the discovery and seizure of an illegally possessed Capuchin monkey that was turned over to the state DEC.
Wood was arraigned in the Town of Ghent Justice Court and remanded to the Columbia County Jail without bail. He has been charged with the felonies of criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and criminal possession of a controlled substance.
He also faces 10 felony counts of criminal possession of an assault weapon and criminal possession of a weapon. He has also been charged with the misdemeanor of criminal use of drug paraphernalia, and the violation of possession of wild animals as pets.
State Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
