James Hamilton, Cocaine and Gun Convictions, New York 2023

UTICA, NEW YORK – In a major blow to the city's underworld, James Hamilton, a 42-year-old resident of Central Square, New York, was sentenced to 72 months in prison for conspiring to distribute cocaine, possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possessing multiple firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses.

According to court documents, Hamilton admitted to acquiring more than four kilograms of powder cocaine between early 2021 and March 2022, which he either sold or possessed with the intent to sell. He also admitted to unlawfully possessing nine firearms, including an AR-15-style rifle, for the purpose of protecting his drug supply and drug proceeds.

The sentencing was handed down by Senior United States District Judge David N. Hurd, who also imposed a 4-year term of supervised release to begin after Hamilton is released from prison.

Hamilton's crimes were a serious threat to public safety, and his sentencing is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies in New York. 'Cocaine is a dangerous and addictive drug, and James Hamilton distributed large quantities of it into his community for profit,' said Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III. 'He also possessed firearms in connection with his drug dealing that could have injured or killed other people. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to target and prosecute dangerous drug dealers like him.'

The case was investigated by the DEA, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe prosecuted this case.

This case is also part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

Hamilton has been taken into custody to begin serving his sentence immediately. The Grimy Times will continue to provide updates on this case as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndny/pr/oswego-county-man-sentenced-72-months-prison-drug-and-gun-convictions