Sean Christianson, a 45-year-old resident of Manhattan, New York, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute. The announcement was made by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
According to officials, Christianson admitted that on February 25, 2025, he traveled from the New York City area to Liverpool, New York. He was found with twenty-two one-kilogram bricks of cocaine in his vehicle and intended to sell them in the Syracuse area. Law enforcement apprehended him upon his arrival in Liverpool.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: “Thanks to the investigative efforts of the DEA and our other law enforcement partners, another drug dealer and a huge quantity of narcotics are off the streets. Drug dealers will not get away with selling narcotics in the Northern District of New York.”
“Illicit drugs have no place in our communities,” stated DEA New York Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “DEA New York remains steadfast in our commitment to working alongside our law enforcement partners to target those who poison our neighborhoods with dangerous narcotics.”
Christianson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and could receive up to life in prison as well as at least four years and up to life of supervised release. Sentencing will be determined by a judge based on relevant statutes, federal sentencing guidelines, and other factors.
The DEA led the investigation with support from several agencies including the New York Drug Enforcement Task Force, Syracuse Police Department, and City of New York Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Gillis is prosecuting the case.
