Joseph Mitchell, a 38-year-old resident of Nelliston, New York, has pled guilty to charges of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a felon. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman alongside Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
Mitchell admitted to collaborating with another individual to distribute more than 350 grams of methamphetamine in August 2024. Authorities executed a search warrant at his residence on September 5, 2024, where they discovered two rifles and one shotgun. As part of his plea agreement, Mitchell agreed to forfeit these firearms.
Due to previous felony convictions for attempted robbery and narcotics possession, Mitchell was prohibited from legally owning firearms. He now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from at least ten years up to life imprisonment, along with supervised release lasting from five years to life. Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on relevant statutes and guidelines.
The DEA conducted the investigation with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner is responsible for prosecuting the case.