United States Drug Enforcement Administration

SYRACUSE, NY – Charles Scott, 61, of Syracuse pled guilty yesterday to distributing cocaine and heroin, possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, and Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division.

As part of his guilty plea yesterday, Scott admitted that he sold a quantity of heroin and cocaine during a DEA undercover operation on Jan. 21, 2020 in Syracuse. He also pled guilty to possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of a 45. caliber semiautomatic pistol and 12 rounds of ammunition that were recovered during the execution of search warrants on Feb. 26, 2020 at his residence and at another location he was using, both in the city of Syracuse. Scott admitted as part of his guilty plea that he was a previously convicted felon when he possessed the pistol and ammunition.

Charles Scott is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 22, 2022 in Utica, New York. At that time, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 on each count for his distribution of cocaine and heroin on Jan. 22, 2020, and his possession with intent to distribute fentanyl on Feb. 26, 2020. He faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for his conviction for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.  Scott could also be sentenced to a post-imprisonment 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 is being investigated by the DEA Syracuse Resident Office with assistance from the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.