Michael Austin, a 47-year-old resident of Frankfort, New York, was sentenced to 88 months in federal prison for possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and for illegally possessing two firearms as a convicted felon. The sentencing took place in Syracuse, announced by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Austin previously pleaded guilty to selling about 13 ounces of cocaine over seven transactions between April and August 2024. On August 15, 2024, he was found with an additional 78 grams of cocaine at his home intended for distribution. He also admitted to selling two handguns on July 26, 2024, despite a prior federal conviction in 2010 for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base. That earlier offense resulted in a sentence of 67 months.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sarcone commented: “Michael Austin didn’t learn his lesson after already spending years in federal prison. He continued to endanger the residents of Herkimer County by illegally peddling drugs and firearms. Today’s sentence sends the message to him and other would-be traffickers of drugs and firearms that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will relentlessly pursue dangerous criminals to keep our communities safe.”
Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo stated: “Illegal firearms in the hands of convicted felons, combined with drug trafficking, create a cycle of danger that threatens every layer of our community. ATF and our law enforcement partners remain committed to stopping that cycle of violence. This sentencing reflects the power of collaboration—ATF NY Syracuse Field Office, DEA, New York State Police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office NDNY and the New Hartford Police Department working together to safeguard our communities.”
Senior U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., ordered an additional six-year term of post-release supervision.
The case was investigated by ATF with help from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York State Police Special Investigations Unit-Marcy, and New Hartford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a national program led by the Department of Justice aimed at reducing violent crime through evidence-based strategies involving law enforcement agencies and community partners working together on prevention efforts and targeted enforcement against violent offenders.
More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
