Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Syracuse Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison Following his Jury Trial Convictions for Drug and Firearm Offenses
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — James Mack, 40, of Syracuse, was sentenced today to serve 15 years (180 months) in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile (SPD), Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division Frank A. Tarentino, III, and Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) John B. DeVito made the announcement.
The evidence at trial established that Mack used his Honda Accord as a stash location for his drug trafficking operation. During a search of the defendant’s vehicle on Feb. 12, 2020, SPD detectives located a hidden compartment (or “trap”) in the dashboard. From within the trap, detectives recovered over 400 grams of cocaine, over 100 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine), and a loaded .38 caliber revolver. The defendant was, at that time, under federal supervision from a prior conviction for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Mack was also sentenced today to serve an eight-year term of supervised release following completion of his prison sentence, and a concurrent term of imprisonment for violating his previous federal supervision.
The Syracuse Police Department-Special Investigations Division (SID), DEA, and ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adrian LaRochelle and Jessica Carbone prosecuted the defendant.
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