Gonzalski Gets 54 Months

Cocaine distribution and money laundering have landed a Syracuse man in federal prison. Michael Gonzalski, 36, was sentenced Tuesday to serve 54 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and money laundering.

As part of his earlier guilty plea, Gonzalski admitted that from approximately August 2020, until March 30, 2022, he distributed cocaine to customers in Onondaga County, NY. The court determined as part of Gonzalski’s sentencing that he distributed approximately 10 kilograms of powder cocaine.

Gonzalski also admitted committing money laundering by attempting to conceal the source of some of his drug proceeds through an automobile transaction. This sophisticated attempt to hide his illicit earnings ultimately failed, as law enforcement was able to uncover the scheme and bring him to justice.

United States District Judge David N. Hurd further sentenced Gonzalski to a three-year term of supervised release to begin after Gonzalski serves his terms of imprisonment, and imposed a $333,111 money judgment, which reflected the proceeds Gonzalski obtained through drug dealing. This significant financial penalty is a clear indication of the severity of Gonzalski’s crimes.

The investigation into Gonzalski’s activities was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Syracuse Police Department (SPD), the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO), the New York State Police (NYSP), the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation.

According to United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, the successful prosecution of Gonzalski is a testament to the dedication and cooperation of these agencies. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe, who worked tirelessly to ensure that justice was served.

The sentencing of Michael Gonzalski serves as a warning to those involved in cocaine distribution and money laundering: law enforcement is committed to uncovering and prosecuting these crimes, and the consequences will be severe. As the war on drugs continues, it is clear that federal authorities will stop at nothing to bring perpetrators to justice and protect the communities they serve.

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