ALBANY, NEW YORK - Preston James, age 39, of Schenectady, New York, pled guilty today to distributing crack cocaine.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Division, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
As part of his guilty plea, James admitted that in April 2015, he sold crack cocaine four times in the Schenectady area. During one sale he sold over 28 grams. James was previously convicted of felony drug offenses in Rockland County (2009) and Kings County (2006).
James, who is in custody, faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, as well as a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 8 years and up to life, when he is sentenced on Oct. 13, 2017 by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
This case was investigated by the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Solomon B. Shinerock.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
