Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ALBANY, NEW YORK – James Haskins, age 42, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to possessing and intending to distribute crack cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), New York Field Division.

 

Haskins, who has 6 prior felony convictions, admitted that on April 11, 2018, he possessed 152 grams of crack cocaine and a .380 caliber pistol and ammunition in Schenectady.  He further admitted that he intended to distribute the crack cocaine to others in exchange for cash, and that he possessed the firearm, which he obtained illegally, to protect his crack and drug proceeds from potential robbers.

 

Haskins faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and at least 8 years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Norman A. Mordue on April 17, 2019.  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 ATF and Schenectady County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Giglio Suarez.