Jason P. Benedict, Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon, New York 2023

SYRACUSE, NY – Jason P. Benedict, 47, of Auburn, New York, has confessed to a dangerous game of passing guns to those who shouldn’t have them. Benedict pleaded guilty in federal court today to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, a charge stemming from a January 2023 transaction that connected him to a suspected drug dealer in Syracuse.

According to court documents, Benedict not only possessed a Hawk Industries 20-gauge shotgun but actively transferred it to another individual. This wasn’t a simple oversight; investigators uncovered text messages confirming Benedict knowingly delivered the weapon on January 21, 2023. The shotgun ultimately landed in the hands of someone already under scrutiny for drug activity, seized during a raid of a Syracuse residence in June 2023.

The feds aren’t letting this slide. Benedict’s past is a key factor: he was previously convicted in Onondaga County Court in 2011 of Criminal Sex Act in the Second Degree, landing him a five-year prison sentence. That conviction should have barred him from owning or possessing any firearms, yet he brazenly flouted the law.

Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) teamed up on the investigation. The shotgun was recovered alongside drugs, cash, and drug paraphernalia during the search of the Syracuse residence, painting a clear picture of the intended use. The recipient of the firearm is facing separate federal charges, and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Benedict is now looking at a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars, along with a potential fine of up to $250,000.00, and up to three years of supervised release following his imprisonment. The actual sentence will be determined by the judge, considering federal sentencing guidelines and other pertinent factors. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is handling the prosecution.

This case highlights the ongoing effort to keep firearms out of the hands of those with a history of violent offenses and those involved in illegal drug activity. The ATF and DEA continue to work together to dismantle these networks and protect communities across New York State. Sentencing is scheduled for August 23, 2024, in Syracuse.

Related Federal Cases