Tyler Hull, a 42-year-old resident of Fulton, New York, has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute over 300 grams of a schedule I synthetic cathinone. This announcement was made by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Erin Keegan, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Hull admitted that during a traffic stop, authorities discovered approximately 316 grams of the substance intended for distribution in Oswego County. He also confessed to distributing similar quantities on two previous occasions. The synthetic cathinone is classified as a schedule I controlled substance with effects akin to methylone, pentylone, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. At the time of this offense, Hull was under supervised release following a federal drug trafficking conviction in 2022.
Hull acknowledged violating his supervised release terms by committing this new offense and possessing a controlled substance. His sentencing for these violations and the new charge is set for September 24, 2025, before United States District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby in Syracuse.
U.S. Attorney Sarcone emphasized the commitment to collaborating with state and local law enforcement to combat the distribution of controlled substances: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is deeply committed to working closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to root out those who seek to profit by peddling poison in our communities through the distribution of controlled substances.”
Erin Keegan highlighted the effective cooperation between various law enforcement agencies: “Yesterday’s guilty plea underscores the successful and unwavering collaboration between state, local, and federal partners, who continuously place the public’s safety above all else,” she said.
For his new criminal offense, Hull could face up to 30 years in prison, fines reaching $2 million, and post-release supervision ranging from six years to life. Additionally, he faces up to two years in prison for violating his supervised release terms. Sentencing will be determined based on statutory guidelines and other relevant factors.
The investigation involved HSI alongside members of the Oswego County Drug Task Force including HSI agents, Oswego County Sheriff’s Office personnel, City of Fulton Police Department officers, City of Oswego Police Department officers, Oswego County District Attorney’s Office representatives, and United States Border Patrol agents. Assistant United States Attorney Adrian LaRochelle is prosecuting the case under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated efforts among various stakeholders.
Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses on identifying key violent crime issues within communities and implementing comprehensive strategies involving both enforcement against offenders and partnerships with prevention programs.
