ALBANY — a 35-year-old city man often seen at Black Lives Matter protests and who spoke at a large Back the Blue rally was arrested on weapons charges.
According to Albany Police Public Information Officer Steve Smith, it started on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at around 8:30 a.m. Smith said a man walked into the South Station to report that while he was at a store in the area of Clinton Avenue and Lark Street, when another man, later identified as James Davis, had threatened to kill him because he was a Muslim.
About two hours later, officers responded to a store in the area of Lexington Avenue and Sherman Street for reports of a man threatening an employee with a rifle. The victim told officers that Davis continued to point the rifle at him.
On Wednesday, at around 4:15 p.m., Albany police with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals, arrested Davis in the area of Dove and Hamilton streets. At the time of his arrest he was also found to be in possession of a loaded Sig M400 rifle which he had concealed in his coat.
He is charged with the felonies of criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and aggravated harassment as well as being cited for possessing an unregistered loaded rifle.
He was arraigned this morning in Albany City Criminal Court and released.
Davis goes by the name Maneterep El Dey and has said he is with the community group Albany House of Peace. He has been seen at various protests around the city of Albany and gave a resounding speech at a large Back the Blue rally in front of the state Capitol in July. He was known for speaking passionately about bringing all sides together for the good of all mankind.
