Saadiq Teague, of Canal Winchester near Columbus, was arrested Friday afternoon, New York police said.
Teague was sitting in the subway station charging his phone with the unladen AK-47 in front of him, a law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the situation told CNN on condition of anonymity. The teenager also carried a gas mask, the source said.
Police did not say why the teen had the gun and the loaded magazine.
New York Police Commissioner Dermot Shea tweeted congratulations to agents on routine patrols that confiscated the items.
Teague is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon; criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree; and third-degree criminal possession related to an ammunition clip, according to New York Police Department.
Teague was also charged with criminal use of second-degree drug paraphernalia, Detective Annette Shelton said.
CNN was unable to identify a lawyer for Teague, but contacted the Legal Aid Society to see if it represents him. Teague may not have been assigned a lawyer yet because the arrest is so recent, Red Haskins of Legal Aid told CNN.
CNN has solicited comments from Teague’s family in Ohio and the attorney’s office in Manhattan.