Anthony Brown, a 28-year-old resident of Syracuse, New York, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison on February 23, 2026. Brown had previously pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The sentencing was announced by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
According to court documents and Brown’s admission during his plea, he sold three pistols and over 90 grams of methamphetamine between December 2024 and May 2025. The sales were made to an undercover police officer. Brown was legally barred from possessing firearms due to a prior felony drug conviction in Onondaga County Court, for which he served one year in prison.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also ordered that Brown serve four years of supervised release following his prison term.
First Assistant United States Attorney Sarcone stated, “Drugs and guns are a lethal combination, and we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute drug traffickers who illegally possess, use, and sell firearms to further their criminal activities. I am proud of the great work from our team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and our legal assistants for their outstanding investigative work and continued commitment to public service. I thank the ATF and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their continued partnership in keeping our communities safe.”
Special Agent in Charge DiGirolamo said, “Despite a prior felony drug conviction, this defendant chose to distribute methamphetamine and illegally sell firearms — a dangerous combination that threatens public safety. This 132-month sentence reflects the seriousness of those crimes. Through the strong partnership of ATF NY Syracuse, the New York State Police, the Syracuse Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, a repeat offender is now off the streets.”
The investigation was conducted by ATF with support from the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit and the Syracuse Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry prosecuted the case.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at reducing violent crime through evidence-based strategies that focus on collaboration among stakeholders to address local crime issues with targeted enforcement efforts on violent offenders while supporting prevention programs. More information about PSN can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
