Nekie Ricks, 33, of Schenectady, New York, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute and for carrying a firearm during his drug trafficking activities. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Ricks pleaded guilty and admitted that in late August 2022 he was stopped by officers from the Schenectady Police Department while riding his bicycle at night. During the stop, officers found multiple plastic bags containing about 31 grams of cocaine base and cash in his pockets. He also carried an Adidas bag with a loaded 9mm handgun and a high-voltage taser, which he used to protect his drugs and proceeds. Ricks was not allowed to possess firearms due to previous felony convictions.
In addition to the prison term, Ricks will serve four years of supervised release following his incarceration.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated, “Ricks was riding around on a bicycle in Schenectady peddling drugs and carrying a dangerous loaded gun, which threatens public safety and makes Schenectady a more dangerous place. Thanks to ATF and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, Ricks will now be behind bars rather than handlebars and our community will be much safer.”
Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), commented on the case: “This defendant, a convicted felon, chose to distribute and possess crack cocaine and a loaded gun within Schenectady. This significant sentence reflects the seriousness of those crimes. Through the strong partnership of ATF, the Schenectady 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 as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) in collaboration with the Schenectady Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is an initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at reducing violent crime through coordinated efforts among law enforcement agencies and community partners. More information about PSN can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
