A 59-year-old Albany man was arrested after allegedly climbing a fence at the FBI’s Albany Field Office, getting into an unlocked FBI GMC truck in the secure lot, driving around the parking area, and attempting to leave in the early hours of April 10, 2026; he now faces a federal criminal complaint and possible prison time if convicted.
Local authorities say Stephen Gullotti, age 59, of Albany, New York, is charged after an incident that began late on April 9 and continued into the morning of April 10, 2026. Court paperwork alleges he climbed the fence around the FBI Albany office, entered an unlocked FBI patrol vehicle, and drove it within the secured parking area before trying to exit the lot at about 4:54 a.m. Security officers intervened, detained him, and the matter was referred to federal prosecutors.
The criminal complaint filed Monday accuses Gullotti of stealing and converting to his own use an FBI patrol car located in the agency’s parking area. That federal charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years. Sentencing, if there is a conviction, would be determined by a judge guided by the relevant statutes, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors specific to the case.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated: “Gullotti’s alleged unauthorized jaunt through a secure federal lot was a brazen display of judgment that ended exactly where one might expect: in handcuffs. While the perpetrator managed to gain access to the FBI’s parking lot, he was unable to enter the building and is now facing a federal charge. This case serves as a blunt reminder that those who attempt to disrupt federal operations or violate the security of our law enforcement partners will be met with immediate and decisive action.”
FBI leadership underscored that, according to the complaint, the man did not gain access to the building itself. FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “As alleged in the complaint, Mr. Gullotti illegally gained access to the FBI Albany parking lot but was not able to enter our building. While this incident is troubling, it proves our building and information are safe thanks to our security protocols. Let this be clear: we have zero tolerance for those who attempt to compromise the safety and integrity of our workspaces. We would like to thank our partners at Albany PD for their swift assistance with this investigation and our colleagues at the Northern District of New York for recognizing the severity of the allegations concerning Mr. Gullotti and charging him federally.”
The announcement of charges was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI and the Albany Police Department are actively investigating the incident to determine how security was breached and whether any additional charges or related incidents emerge as the probe continues. Prosecutors handling the matter are Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping and Nicholas Walter.
The legal notice in the filing emphasizes the procedural stance of the courts: The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. That reminder sits alongside the reporting of concrete allegations, the names of the officials involved in the announcement, and the statutory penalties tied to the charge as outlined in the complaint.
