Alexis Miranda, a 30-year-old resident of Syracuse, New York, was sentenced to five years in prison for firearms and drug offenses. The sentencing took place last Thursday and includes charges of possessing defaced firearms and conspiring to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.
Miranda previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with Christopher Montano from August to October 2019 to distribute controlled substances such as heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. On September 12, 2019, she traveled from the Rome area to meet Montano and together they distributed over 80 grams of methamphetamine. In August 2020, Miranda was stopped for a traffic violation on Interstate 90 in Rensselaer County. During the stop, police found heroin and fentanyl in her purse and four semiautomatic pistols with defaced serial numbers in her trunk.
Christopher Montano was sentenced last year to more than six years in prison for selling unregistered firearms and drug trafficking crimes.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “Alexis Miranda was engaged in trafficking deadly substances and weapons, each of which contribute to drug addiction and gun violence in the community. We will relentlessly pursue and prosecute individuals like her to get rid of deadly firearms and drugs from our streets.”
ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller stated: “Those who traffic in illegal firearms and deadly drugs will be held accountable. These defaced and stolen weapons pose a serious threat to our communities, and we remain committed to working with our federal and local partners to disrupt this kind of dangerous criminal activity.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James added: “Strong partnerships are crucial for intercepting the illegal drugs and weapons that sustain a cycle of violence and threaten the quality of life in our communities. The collaborative multi-agency efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office, ATF, and New York State Police has resulted in the sentencing of Mr. Miranda and has eradicated an unprincipled gun and drug trafficking operation. We will continue to make it a priority to find those who commit these acts and dismantle the dangerous chain of activities they perpetuate.”
Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby imposed a five-year term of post-release supervision as part of Miranda’s sentence.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) along with the New York State Police (NYSP). Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping prosecuted the case.
The Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods program played a role in this effort by bringing together various stakeholders to reduce violent crime through targeted enforcement strategies focused on violent offenders as well as prevention initiatives within local communities. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
