TROY, NY (WRGB) — Three Troy men have been arrested on weapon and cannabis Charges after a search warrant execution

On June 26, 2025, the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at 661 5th Avenue, 1st Floor, in Troy.

The investigation stemmed from multiple anonymous tips through the Crime Tip Line (518-270-0128) that school-aged children were buying cannabis from a storefront.

During the search warrant, investigators found over five pounds of cannabis, a loaded Glock 43x handgun with Teflon-coated ammunition, digital scales, packaging materials, and a quantity of U.S. currency.

As a result, Shane Ray, 31, Damoni Nelson, 19, and Isaiah Alvarez, 21, all residents of Troy, were arrested and charged with the following:

Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class C Felony)

One count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class E Felony)

One count of Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the First Degree (Class E Felony)

At the time of this arrest, Damoni Nelson was on New York State Parole for a prior firearm-related offense. Isaiah Alvarez is currently on Probation, also for a firearm-related conviction.

“The sale of any substances to children is not only reprehensible, it is a serious issue that poses a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our communities. The presence of an illegal firearm further heightens the danger and demonstrates the recklessness of those involved. This behavior will NOT be tolerated in Rensselaer County. We will continue to investigate these cases with urgency and determination. Our youth deserve safe neighborhoods, and we are committed to keeping drugs and firearms off our streets. I want to thank the dedicated members of our agency for their professionalism and tireless efforts. Our message is simple: if you endanger our children or our communities, we will take swift and decisive action.” — Sheriff Kyle Bourgault, Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Troy Police Special Operations Sector Detectives for their assistance and continued collaboration.

All three defendants were arraigned in Schaghticoke Town Court before the Honorable Judge Scott Ryan and were remanded to the Rensselaer County Jail without bail.