United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –  Melisa Muminovic, 25, of Utica, New York, pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara, New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division, John B. Devito, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Field Division, and Chief Mark Williams, Utica Police Department.

As part of her guilty plea yesterday, Muminovic admitted from at least January 2021 through July 2021, she agreed with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl to customers in the Utica, New York area. Muminovic further admitted that she accompanied co-conspirators to the New York City area to purchase fentanyl, which was then sold in the Utica area.

At her sentencing, currently scheduled for December 14, 2022, Muminovic faces a maximum potential sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum term of five years’ imprisonment a term of supervised release of between 5 years and life, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case is being investigated by New York State Police-Special Investigations Unit, investigators from the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, members of the City of Utica Police Department, DEA, ATF, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew J. McCrobie and Richard Southwick.