Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Rasheed Mingues, 43, a resident of New York City staying in the Utica, NY area, was indicted today for possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute them, possession of a firearm in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes, and possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

Mingues was previously charged by a federal complaint on December 10, 2022. He has been detained without bail since he made his initial appearance on December 10 before Magistrate Judge Thérèse Wiley Dancks.

The indictment alleges that, on December 9, 2022, Mingues possessed hundreds of grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine with the intent to distribute them. The indictment also alleges that Mingues possessed a loaded 9mm handgun in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes. Federal law prohibits Mingues from possessing the firearm as a result of a prior felony conviction.

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

The charges filed against Mingues carry a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of life, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 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.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and New York State Police are investigating the case with assistance from the Utica Police Department, Syracuse Police Department, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone is prosecuting the case.