Nekie Ricks, a 33-year-old resident of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for possessing crack cocaine with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm in connection with his drug trafficking activities. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, Ricks pleaded guilty to the charges stemming from an incident in late August 2022. At that time, he was stopped by officers from the Schenectady Police Department while riding his bicycle at night due to traffic violations and resisting arrest. Officers found approximately 31 grams of cocaine base and cash in his possession, along with a loaded 9mm handgun and a high-voltage taser stored in a cross-body bag. Ricks was prohibited from possessing firearms because of two prior felony convictions.
In addition to his prison term, Ricks will serve four years of supervised release after completing his incarceration.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented on the case: “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), stated: “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 into this case was conducted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration among law enforcement agencies at various levels as well as community stakeholders. More information about PSN can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
