Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that a 42-year-old man who allegedly robbed a convenience store at gunpoint has been formally charged.

Joseph Johnson Jr. was arraigned in front of the Honorable Roger McDonough on an indictment that charges him with Robbery in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, and Criminal Possession of Narcotic Drugs in the Fourth Degree.

On Oct. 23 at 8:09 p.m., Johnson walked into the Nice and Easy Food Mart at 57 Central Ave. dressed in a black mask, racked the slide on a silver handgun and placed it against the chest of a clerk behind the register. Johnson then went behind the counter and took approximately a half-pound of marijuana worth $500 and exited the store.

Albany Police, on the strength of video surveillance evidence, secured a court-ordered search warrant for Johnson’s residence on Park Avenue, and on Nov. 14 they entered the apartment and found a Jimenez Arms 9mm loaded with 11 rounds. Albany Police also found a high capacity ammunition feeding device, 6 grams of crack cocaine and items consistent with drug distribution.

Johnson pleaded not guilty and was remanded to the custody of the Albany County Correctional Facility.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan Carty of the Major Crimes Unit.

ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.