Cedric L. Hudson, Jr., Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a Convicted Felon, New York 2022

SYRACUSE, NY – Cedric L. Hudson, Jr., 36, of Syracuse, is facing serious time after pleading guilty today to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The arrest, a result of a routine traffic stop, underscores the constant flow of illegal weapons onto Syracuse streets and the ongoing battle to keep them out of the hands of those already barred from ownership.

The bust went down October 17, 2022, in the Town of Dewitt, near Carrier Circle. New York State Troopers pulled Hudson over for erratic driving. It quickly became clear Hudson was operating a vehicle despite a suspended license. When a tow truck was called, a search of the car turned up a .45 caliber semiautomatic handgun and a seven-round magazine. For Hudson, the stop wasn’t just about a suspended license; it triggered a federal investigation.

Hudson’s criminal history made the gun possession charge particularly damning. He was already a convicted felon, having been sentenced in Onondaga County Court back in 2014 for a felony drug offense. That conviction permanently stripped him of the right to own or possess firearms. Adding to his troubles, authorities discovered he was also the subject of a parole violation warrant out of North Carolina at the time of his arrest.

Federal prosecutors, in a joint effort with local law enforcement, adopted the case, signaling a heightened focus on gun violence reduction in Onondaga County. The collaborative approach involved the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the New York State Police. The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI and NYSP-CSU, with support from the ATF.

Hudson now faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a three-year term of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2022, in Syracuse. The final sentence will be determined by the judge, considering federal guidelines and other relevant factors. This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is handling the prosecution. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, support for local organizations, strategic enforcement, and measurable results – all in an effort to stem the tide of gun violence plaguing cities like Syracuse.

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