Cecilio Wareham, a 48-year-old resident of Queens, New York, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine. The plea was entered in October and announced by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) William S. Walker, and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa.
Wareham was one of ten individuals indicted in April 2025 for their involvement in drug trafficking organizations accused of distributing significant quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine throughout Kingston and other areas of Ulster County. Authorities allege that the groups distributed over 11 kilograms of cocaine and hundreds of grams of cocaine base. Law enforcement seized more than five kilograms of cocaine and 270 grams of cocaine base during searches in Ulster County.
As part of his guilty plea, Wareham admitted to supplying co-conspirator Greg Tejada with quantities of cocaine for redistribution, including more than two kilograms seized from Tejada in October 2024.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “This guilty plea sends a clear and unequivocal message: we will aggressively dismantle the drug-trafficking networks that threaten the safety of our communities. Our work is far from finished, but this case proves that those who choose to spread dangerous narcotics will face decisive accountability. I strongly commend our federal, state, and local partners for their unwavering dedication and coordination throughout this investigation.”
HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel stated: “This plea is the result of a sustained, collaborative investigation aimed at dismantling criminal networks that traffic dangerous drugs into our communities. HSI New York and our law enforcement partners will continue to target the supply chains, distributors, and organizations responsible for fueling addiction and violence. Our efforts will remain relentless as we work to safeguard the public.”
Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa said: “URGENT and our partnering agencies remain committed to protecting Ulster County from the destructive impact of narcotics trafficking. This case highlights the strength of interagency cooperation and the dedication of our investigators. We will continue to pursue those who bring illegal drugs into our neighborhoods and ensure they are brought before the justice system.”
Sentencing for Wareham is scheduled for February 26, 2026 before United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. He faces a minimum prison sentence of 10 years up to life imprisonment, a fine up to $10 million, and supervised release ranging from at least five years up to life.
The remaining defendants face similar charges related to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances with varying minimums ranging from no mandatory minimum up to ten years imprisonment upon conviction depending on their roles or previous convictions; maximum sentences range between twenty years up to life imprisonment.
Additional charges against some defendants include distribution or possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
All charges are currently accusations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by HSI; Ulster County Sheriff’s Office with URGENT; Federal Bureau of Investigation; and New York State Police Special Investigations Unit in Valhalla.
Assistant United States Attorney Ashlyn Miranda is prosecuting the case.
These prosecutions fall under the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159 focused on combating criminal cartels, gangs, transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling rings operating domestically or abroad while prioritizing crimes involving children.
