ALBANY, NEW YORK - Melvin Nelson, age 39, of Troy, New York, was arraigned on Friday on an indictment charging him with possessing and intending to distribute crack cocaine.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
According to the indictment, on June 26, 2018, Nelson possessed and intended to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
On Friday, April 26, Nelson appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, who set conditions for Nelson’s release.
If convicted, Nelson faces a minimum of 5 years in prison, a term of post-release supervision of at least 4 years, and a fine of up to $5 million. 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 is being investigated by the FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes FBI Special Agents and members of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the Troy Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ashlyn Miranda and Alicia Suarez.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
