Nyquest Robinson, Illegal Possession of a Loaded Handgun, New York 2023

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Nyquest Robinson, 20, is facing a hefty federal sentence after admitting to being a convicted felon illegally carrying a loaded handgun. The arrest unfolded in May when Robinson attempted to outrun parole officers in Syracuse, leading to a foot chase and the discovery of a .40 caliber Glock, Model 27, stuffed in his clothing.

According to court documents, Robinson was under parole supervision stemming from a prior felony conviction for Assault in the Second Degree when New York State Parole Officers initiated a conversation with him near a local store on May 17th. Instead of cooperating, Robinson bolted, but was quickly apprehended with the help of Syracuse Police. The Glock was loaded with thirteen rounds of ammunition, a dangerous combination for a man already barred from possessing firearms.

The case wasn’t simply handled by state authorities. In a move highlighting increased federal-local collaboration on gun violence, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) jointly decided to pursue federal charges. This joint review is part of a wider effort to crack down on gun violence within Onondaga County.

U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman, alongside ATF Special Agent in Charge John B. DeVito, Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile, and Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick, announced Robinson’s guilty plea today. The feds aren’t messing around – Robinson now faces a maximum sentence of 15 years behind bars, alongside a potential fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program designed to bring all levels of law enforcement together to tackle violent crime. The program focuses on building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, and strategically targeting enforcement efforts.

Robinson’s sentencing is slated for April 18 in Syracuse. While the final sentence will be determined by the judge, considering federal sentencing guidelines and other factors, one thing is clear: illegally packing heat as a convicted felon carries severe consequences, and federal agencies are increasingly focused on prosecuting these cases to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

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