Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Kent Tucker, age 23, of Gloversville, New York, was indicted yesterday on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

The indictment alleges that on August 21, 2020, Tucker possessed a Glock handgun stolen from a Gloversville firearms dealer, and possessed methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. The indictment also charges that Tucker possessed the handgun in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. An earlier complaint filed on January 5, 2021 alleges that during the arrest, Tucker threw the stolen firearm from his person while being arrested.

The charges in the complaint and indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If convicted on all charges, Tucker faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a minimum of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $5 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years. 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.

Tucker initially appeared Wednesday in Albany before United States Magistrate Judge Christian Hummel, and was ordered detained pending a trial.

This case is being investigated by the ATF and Gloversville Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), to include taking appropriate actions when a prospective purchaser is denied by the NICS for mental health reasons; and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities. For more information about Project Guardian, please see https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download.

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