Colonie pair pleads not guilty to drug, weapon charges

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A couple from Colonie pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment on Thursday, alleging they had drugs and illegal weapons. The Albany County District Attorney's Office said Byron Brown, 45, and Rena Brown, 42, are accused of possessing a loaded handgun, hallucinogenic mushrooms, and marijuana.

Charges

• Second-degree criminal possession of a weapon
• First-degree criminal possession of cannabis
• Fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance
• Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance

Officials with the DA's office said New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision parole officers responded on February 10 to the Brown's home on Bunker Lane in Colonie, as Byron was on parole. Parole officers were performing a compliance visit alongside Colonie Police Department officers who were fulfilling a search warrant.

The DA's office said law enforcement found a loaded semi-automatic handgun with eight rounds of ammunition in the magazine, over 25 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms, and more than 300 pounds of marijuana. Rena Brown was released on a $75,000 bond, and Byron Brown remains in Albany County Jail.