United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SYRACUSE, NY – Michael Cozzens, 34, of Syracuse, New York, pled guilty yesterday to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a stolen gun.  The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division.

As part of his guilty plea, Cozzens admitted that between January 2017 and April 20, 2018, he agreed with others to participate in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed cocaine.  The defendant also admitted that he obtained quantities of cocaine from co-conspirators and distributed, or arranged to distribute, cocaine to others.  Cozzens further admitted he possessed a stolen, loaded, .40 caliber Smith and Wesson semiautomatic handgun, in an effort to protect the drugs and drug proceeds he kept in his car and his home.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 19, 2019, at which time the defendant faces a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, and a maximum sentence of up to life in prison, a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least four (4) 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 DEA Syracuse Resident Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sahar L. Amandolare.  

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