Albany Man Cops to Oxycodone Conspiracy, Gets 3 Years

Salvatore Commisso, 33, of Albany, New York, is headed to federal prison for his role in a regional oxycodone distribution ring. Commisso was sentenced today to 36 months behind bars, followed by 3 years of supervised release, after admitting his guilt in a controlled substance conspiracy that preyed on communities across the Northern District of New York.

The takedown culminates a DEA-led investigation that traced Commisso’s illicit drug network from December 2015 through February 2016. During that period, he repeatedly obtained oxycodone tablets from a co-conspirator with the intent to resell them for profit. The opioid epidemic continues to leave scars across upstate New York, and cases like this reveal the underground networks feeding the crisis.

U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino handed down the sentence and ordered Commisso to forfeit $16,523 in proceeds tied to the drug operation. In addition, he was slapped with a $2,000 fine—a small price compared to the damage wrought by the illegal opioid trade. The forfeiture reflects cash and assets allegedly generated through the sale of prescription painkillers diverted from legitimate medical channels.

Commisso pleaded guilty on September 26, 2016, formally admitting his role in the conspiracy. His cooperation, or lack thereof, did not alter the court’s decision to impose a full three-year prison term. Authorities have emphasized that even non-violent drug conspiracies carry steep consequences when they contribute to public health emergencies.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Division, with Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt overseeing the operation. U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian confirmed the prosecution’s success, stating that targeting mid-level distributors like Commisso is key to dismantling supply chains that fuel addiction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Coffman handled the prosecution. With the sentence now imposed, federal authorities signal they remain locked in on drug networks operating under the radar in New York’s capital region. Commisso’s conviction serves as a stark reminder: in the fight against opioid trafficking, no player is too small to escape federal time.

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