Rodney Ogletree, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, New York 2023

SYRACUSE, NY – Another iron criminal off the streets of Syracuse. Rodney Ogletree, 38, will spend the next six-and-a-half years in federal prison after being sentenced today for illegally possessing a loaded firearm. The sentence doesn’t stop there; Ogletree also received an additional two years for violating the terms of his supervised release from a prior federal conviction. The case underscores the relentless cycle of gun crime and repeat offending plaguing cities like Syracuse.

According to court documents, Ogletree was caught red-handed on September 16, 2020, during a routine traffic stop. Officers discovered a Glock model 23, .40 caliber pistol tucked away in the vehicle, fully loaded with an extended magazine containing sixteen rounds. For a man already barred from owning a firearm due to previous federal felony convictions – also involving firearms – the discovery sealed his fate. The Syracuse Police Department initiated the stop that exposed Ogletree’s illegal weapon.

This wasn’t Ogletree’s first rodeo. He was already on federal supervised release stemming from a 2014 conviction for, you guessed it, being a felon in possession of a firearm. This latest offense represents a blatant disregard for the law and a continued threat to public safety. The repeat offender clearly wasn’t deterred by his previous brush with the federal justice system. It raises questions about the effectiveness of current supervision programs in preventing recidivism.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Syracuse Police Department, and with supporting roles from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Marshals Service. The ATF’s John B. DeVito led the field operations, while Chief Joseph Cecile of the Syracuse PD oversaw local involvement. This multi-agency approach highlights the growing emphasis on coordinated law enforcement tactics in combating gun violence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, violence prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. While PSN aims to address root causes, the courtroom outcome for Ogletree serves as a stark reminder of the need for both prevention and punishment.

Ogletree’s 78-month sentence for the firearm charge, combined with the 24-month penalty for violating supervised release, totals a substantial 102 months behind bars. U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman made the announcement, signaling a commitment to aggressively prosecuting those who endanger communities with illegal firearms. This case serves as a warning: possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon carries severe consequences, and repeat offenders will face the full weight of the law.

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