Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen announces that Joseph J. Samascott (DOB 10/04/1975), of the Town of Greenfield, plead guilty on January 7, 2025 in Saratoga County Court to two (2) counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, in violation of section 265.03(3) of the New York State Penal Law, a class “C” Violent Felony; two (2) counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, in violation of section 265.02(7) of the Penal Law, a class “D” Violent Felony; six (6) counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, in violation of section 265.02(8) of the Penal Law, a class “D” Violent Felony; and one (1) count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, in violation of section 145.00 of the Penal Law, a class “A” misdemeanor, before the Hon. Tatianna N. Coffinger, Acting Saratoga County Court Judge.
With his guilty plea, Defendant Samascott admitted that on March 24, 2024, he possessed two (2) loaded assault rifles and six (6) high-capacity magazines in a motor vehicle when he attempted to leave his property in Porter Corners in the Town of Greenfield. Law Enforcement were called to the scene in response to a call for a welfare check. Members of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office responded to Samascott’s residence and secured the scene and the weapons without incident.
The District Attorney’s Office worked closely with Sheriff’s Office Investigators, members of the State Police Forensic Investigation Center, and several members of the public who came forward with invaluable information and eye-witness accounts of the events of March 24, 2024. DA Heggen said, “We are thankful for the swift response of the Sheriff’s Office. Their professional actions at this scene resulted in the recovery of multiple illegal weapons.”
DA Heggen also recognized the work of Assistant District Attorney Alycia J. DeMilio and First Assistant District Attorney Alan M. Poremba, who prosecuted the case, together with District Attorney’s Office Investigator Michael P. Hourigan.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 27, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Judge Coffinger indicated at the plea that she will sentence the Defendant to a determinate sentence of at least 3 ½ years, but no more than eight (8) years incarceration in a state correctional facility. Additionally, he will also be sentenced to serve a period of post-release supervision.