Syracuse Man Sentenced To Prison For Federal Drug & Firearms Offenses

Friday, October 4, 2024, 2:50 P.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

SYRACUSE, NY.- On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Mario Leslie, 32, of Syracuse, New York, appeared in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York and was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge David N. Hurd to 120 months in federal prison to be followed by four years of supervised release for Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl; and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking.

According To U.S. Attorney Freedman

     According to U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman, as part of his previously entered guilty plea, Leslie admitted in court that on February 6, 2024, he possessed over 151 grams of a mixture that contained fentanyl inside of his home and vehicle in Syracuse, New York. 

     Leslie further admitted in court that he intended to sell and distribute the fentanyl to others. He further admitted on that same date, he knowingly possessed a loaded handgun in a secret compartment in his vehicle that he used to protect his illicit narcotics and proceeds from the sale of those narcotics, as well as over 100 rounds of ammunition that were found in his residence and motor vehicle.

     During Wednesday’s court hearing, Judge Hurd ordered Leslie to pay a $200 special assessment fee in addition to the prison term and supervised release.

     The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the Syracuse Police Department, and the Onondaga Sheriff’s Office.