SYRACUSE, NY – Rasheed Mingues, 44, a New York City resident operating in the Utica area, took a plea deal Friday, admitting to a substantial drug operation and illegal firearm possession. The bust, a joint effort by multiple federal and state agencies, paints a picture of a prolific dealer flooding the streets with dangerous narcotics.
According to court documents, Mingues peddled over 100 grams of methamphetamine and more than 30 grams of fentanyl between April and October of 2022. But the scale of his operation didn’t stop there. A December 9, 2022 raid uncovered a massive stash: over 700 grams of fentanyl, over 700 grams of methamphetamine, and more than 100 grams of cocaine – all intended for distribution. Adding to the danger, authorities found a loaded 9mm handgun bundled with the drugs.
Federal law slammed the door shut on Mingues’ ability to legally possess a firearm due to a prior felony conviction. This wasn’t just a drug case; it was a convicted felon brazenly violating federal gun laws while dealing poison. The DEA and ATF were key players in building the case, highlighting the intersection of drug trafficking and weapons proliferation.
U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman didn’t mince words, signaling the seriousness of the charges. The feds are seeking a mandatory minimum of 10 years behind bars, with the potential for a life sentence. A hefty $10,000,000 fine and a minimum five-year supervised release period also loom large for Mingues, should the judge accept the prosecution’s recommendation.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the DEA, New York State Police, and local law enforcement from Utica, Syracuse, Oneida County, and the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica N. Carbone and Benjamin Gillis are leading the prosecution, promising a thorough presentation of the evidence when Mingues appears for sentencing on August 23, 2024, in Syracuse.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the relentless flow of deadly narcotics into upstate New York and the continued threat posed by individuals willing to endanger communities for profit. The combined forces of federal and state agencies are clearly focused on disrupting these networks and holding perpetrators like Rasheed Mingues accountable.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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