Troy Man Charged With Marijuana Trafficking & Firearms Charges

Friday, December 6, 2024, 9:45 A.M. ET. 1 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ALBANY, NY.- A Federal Grand Jury has returned an indictment charging Omjasisa Kentu Felder, 53, of Troy, New York, with multiple marijuana trafficking and firearms offenses. On Monday, December 2, 2024, Felder appeared in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart on the charges, and was ordered detained pending trial.

     According to U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman and information unsealed in the indictment, the information alleges that Felder possessed a 9mm semi-automatic handgun in furtherance of drug trafficking crime, possessing the handgun by a previously convicted felon. Felder is also alleged to have possessed marijuana with intent to distribute in November 2022 and conspired to distribute marijuana between 2021 and November 2022, within the Northern District of New York.

     If convicted at trial, Felder faces 5 years and up to life in federal prison on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, up to 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and up to 5 years in federal prison on each of the marijuana trafficking offenses.

“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”