Guilderland Man Sentenced to 85 Months for Armed Robbery of Pot Dealer

Albany, NY – In a shocking display of brazen violence, 21-year-old Alexander G. Madera of Guilderland, New York, was sentenced to 85 months in prison for robbing a marijuana dealer at gunpoint.

According to the US Department of Justice, Madera and his accomplice, Jorge Rosario, broke into a single-family residence in Guilderland at around 5 a.m. on January 23, 2022, with the intention of robbing a marijuana dealer. Armed with a rifle and pistol, respectively, they entered the home with a clear intent to harm.

The attempted robbery quickly turned into a violent confrontation when the residents of the house fought back against the pair. Madera and Rosario were disarmed and restrained until the police arrived and arrested them. Both men have remained in custody since the incident.

As part of his guilty plea, Madera admitted to robbing the dealer of $172 in drug money at gunpoint in the dealer’s bedroom. Rosario, who also pleaded guilty, will be sentenced on July 9, 2024, and faces a potential prison term of between 168 and 188 months, along with a 5-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release.

Chief United States District Judge Branda K. Sannes also ordered Madera to serve a 3-year term of supervised release following his release from prison. The case was investigated by the ATF and the Town of Guilderland Police Department, with the assistance of the Albany County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emmet O’Hanlon and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting the case.

The harsh sentence handed down to Madera serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violent crime. As the city continues to grapple with the effects of gang violence and armed robbery, residents can take heart in knowing that those responsible will be held accountable.

In a statement, United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman said, “The sentence imposed today reflects the seriousness of the offense and the need to protect our communities from violent crime.” Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the ATF, added, “The ATF is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and dismantle the networks of individuals who perpetrate violent crime.”