Drug charges land Delmar man 6 1⁄2-year prison sentence

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

A man arrested after a 2011 police chase in Schenectady was sentenced Friday to more than six years in federal prison on drug and conspiracy charges, officials said.

Henry J. Rauche III, 28, of Delmar, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court last summer to one count each of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a narcotic offense and conspiracy to possess and distribute heroin.

He was sentenced to a total of 61⁄2 years, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The federal case resolved local charges against Rauche in the May 9, 2011 chase, which resulted in police recovering a semi-automatic pistol. It also satisfied charges from a subsequent raid at Rauche’s apartment, where authorities found an assault rifle and heroin.

State police tried to stop Rauche on Interstate 890, but he refused to pull over, getting off the highway at Michigan Avenue. He and his girlfriend then abandoned the car at Watt Street and Doherty Drive after Rauche hit a signpost.

State police caught up with Rauche after a brief foot chase. His girlfriend was found a short time later.

As the girlfriend fled, she allegedly tossed her purse, which troopers found behind several trash cans. Inside, state police said, was a loaded .45-caliber handgun that belonged to Rauche.

When Rauche was arrested, he was also found to be carrying $7,556 and wearing an empty pistol holster. A rifle was also found in the car.

Officer said the girlfriend told them later the two were on their way to Schenectady to buy drugs, and after they spotted police, she told him to give her his gun. She also allegedly told officers they had to bring guns to Schenectady on runs to buy drugs because the dealers are dangerous.

Both were arrested, but the status of the girlfriend’s case could not be determined Friday.

Authorities raided their apartment July 6, 2011, finding an assault rifle, three switchblade knives, six loaded, high-capacity magazines and 29 “decks” of heroin, along with pills, needles and ammunition, according to court papers.

Rauche was represented by attorney Cheryl Coleman.