Anthony Brown, a 28-year-old resident of Syracuse, New York, was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison on February 23, 2026. Brown had previously pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, Brown admitted that from December 2024 through May 2025 he sold three pistols and over 90 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover police officer. At the time of these offenses, Brown was legally prohibited from having firearms due to a prior felony drug conviction in Onondaga County Court, for which he had served one year in prison.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed four years of supervised release following Brown’s prison term.
First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented on the sentencing: “Drugs and guns are a lethal combination, and we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute drug traffickers who illegally possess, use, and sell firearms to further their criminal activities. I am proud of the great work from our team of Assistant U.S. Attorneys and our legal assistants for their outstanding investigative work and continued commitment to public service. I thank the ATF and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners for their continued partnership in keeping our communities safe.”
Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), stated: “Despite a prior felony drug conviction, this defendant chose to distribute methamphetamine and illegally sell firearms — a dangerous combination that threatens public safety. This 132-month sentence reflects the seriousness of those crimes. Through the strong partnership of ATF NY Syracuse, the New York State Police, the Syracuse 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 led by ATF with assistance from both the New York State Police Community Stabilization Unit and Syracuse Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Perry.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which is described as an evidence-based initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at reducing violent crime by focusing enforcement efforts on violent offenders while partnering with local prevention programs for long-term impact. More information about PSN can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
