Todd Austin, a 64-year-old resident of Gloversville, New York, has been sentenced to 78 months in federal prison for distributing and possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of pure methamphetamine. The sentencing took place on Friday in Albany.
The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
According to his guilty plea, Austin admitted that between March and July 2023 he obtained methamphetamine from an Albany-based supplier and sold it from his residence in Gloversville.
United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci also ordered that Austin serve a three-year term of supervised release following his prison sentence.
Austin is one of nine defendants charged as part of this investigation. Other defendants include Andrew Deleon, who received a 72-month sentence; Stefanie Plass, sentenced to 24 months; Ahmad Burke, sentenced to 14 months; while Keisha Duboise, Flor Arencibia, and Melissa Karwan are scheduled for sentencing later this year.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, “Methamphetamine is a terrible drug that has plagued Upstate New York communities. With our law enforcement partners, we are fighting back. Anyone distributing meth in the Northern District of New York should be prepared to do federal prison time.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III stated, “Methamphetamine has a devastating impact on communities across our region. The DEA remains steadfast in targeting those who profit from this poison, and we will continue to work tirelessly with our partners to protect the public and dismantle these drug trafficking organizations.”
USPIS Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward stated, “The United States Postal Inspection Service is committed to keeping highly addictive drugs like methamphetamine out of the mail and off our streets. This sentence not only holds Mr. Austin accountable for his crimes, but also sends a clear warning to drug trafficking organizations that attempt to exploit the mail system. Working alongside our law enforcement partners, the USPIS will use every available resource to combat the spread of dangerous, illegal drugs in our communities.”
Charges remain pending against Felix Arencibia and Christian Mur-Santana; both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the DEA and USPIS and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ashlyn Miranda and Joshua R. Rosenthal as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. The OCDETF program focuses on identifying and dismantling major criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among multiple agencies led by prosecutors. More information about OCDETF can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
