Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced on Apr. 28 that Kerome Lendon Paisley was sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiring to traffic more than a kilogram of fentanyl while already incarcerated. U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel imposed the sentence and also presided over Paisley's guilty plea.
The case highlights concerns about ongoing drug trafficking activities by individuals who are already serving prison sentences. Authorities say such actions pose continued risks to public safety, especially when dealing with substances like fentanyl.
"After serving nearly 22 years in federal prison for a prior narcotics conspiracy, Kerome Paisley was given a chance to reenter society," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "Instead, he brazenly chose to traffic more than 10,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills from behind bars, potentially endangering countless New Yorkers. Those who are committed to dealing deadly drugs as a way of life—even from prison—will earn themselves substantial federal prison time."
According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, Paisley used a contraband cellphone in February 2025 while incarcerated to organize the sale of over 10,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills designed to look like legitimate oxycodone tablets. Law enforcement seized the pills after they were brought by an associate of Paisley’s into Peekskill, New York with intent to sell them. At that time, Paisley was nearing completion of his previous sentence related to another narcotics conspiracy and was arrested on the day he was due for release.
In addition to his new prison term, Paisley received five years of supervised release following incarceration.
Clayton praised Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration for their work on this case.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmi Schickler from the Office’s White Plains Division.
