United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Ernest Shaw, Jr. pled guilty yesterday to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, and possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division.

As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Ernest Shaw, Jr. admitted that on September 25, 2019, he possessed 14 grams of cocaine base for distribution, and a loaded Glock .40 caliber handgun at his residence in Nedrow, New York. DEA Special Agents, assisted by other law enforcement agencies, executed a federal search warrant and seized the cocaine base and the loaded handgun from the defendant’s bedroom, along with scales and plastic bags.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 1, 2023, in Syracuse, New York, at which time Ernest Shaw, Jr. faces a maximum sentence of up to 20-years imprisonment for his possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, a 5-year mandatory consecutive sentence for his possession of a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime, a maximum fine of $1,000,000.00, and a post-prison term of supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration - Syracuse Resident Office, which includes Task Force Officers from the City of Auburn Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office. Other Agencies that assisted in this investigation included the New York State Police, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Investigators from the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick and Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Sutcliffe.