Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Michael Griswold, age 36, of Syracuse, was indicted yesterday for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced 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.

According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, law enforcement agents from DEA and Syracuse Police Department executed a search warrant at Griswold’s home on November 9, 2022. During their search, they located a large bag containing what was later determined to be over 500 grams of crystal methamphetamine. The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Griswold has been in custody since his arrest on November 9, 2022, and will be arraigned at a later date. The charge filed against Griswold carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum term 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.

This case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with assistance from the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Syracuse Police Department, and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica N. Carbone.