Syracuse Sun

Uqoeon Lawrence, a 28-year-old resident of Syracuse, has pleaded guilty to four federal felony charges. These charges include possession and distribution of fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and interstate firearms trafficking. This announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Lawrence admitted to selling fentanyl and methamphetamine during two undercover operations conducted by law enforcement in June 2023. He also confessed to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute it along with a loaded 20-gauge pump shotgun and ammunition found during a federal search at his Syracuse apartment on June 26, 2023. Furthermore, Lawrence acknowledged illegally possessing the shotgun and ammunition after being previously convicted of a felony.

Additionally, Lawrence pleaded guilty to trafficking handguns from Maine to Syracuse where he sold them on the street in July 2023.

Sentencing is set for February 25, 2025. Lawrence faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years up to life imprisonment for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine and an unspecified amount of fentanyl. He could also face fines up to $10 million. For possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, he faces an additional mandatory consecutive sentence ranging from five years up to life imprisonment. The charges for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and interstate firearms trafficking carry potential penalties up to fifteen years in federal prison along with supervised release terms post-incarceration lasting at least five years and fines up to $250,000.

A judge will determine the defendant’s sentence based on statutory guidelines related to the offenses charged as well as other relevant factors.

The case is under investigation by the ATF alongside the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Syracuse Police Department-Intelligence Unit (SPD-INTEL). Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick is leading the prosecution.