Chemung County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug and Gun Charges

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Charles Kennedy, age 26, of Chemung County, pled guilty yesterday in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, and Broome County Sheriff Frederick J. Akshar II.

Kennedy was arrested on September 5, 2021, after a high-speed chase that began as he fled from New York State Police in Tioga County during a DWI investigation. Upon entering Broome County, Deputies from the Broome County Sheriff’s Office joined the pursuit.  Kennedy’s car crashed on Route 17 when he unsuccessfully attempted to jump out of the moving vehicle after tire deflation devices were deployed. Kennedy was pinned between the open passenger-side door and a concrete abutment but suffered only minor injuries. A search of the vehicle located a loaded M and P 9mm semiautomatic pistol, as well as methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine powder, fentanyl, marijuana, and a money counting machine. Subsequent investigation established, and Kennedy admitted during his guilty plea, that he conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine powder, heroin, and fentanyl.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2024, at which time Kennedy faces a minimum of ten (10) years and a maximum term of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000,000.00. for his convictions for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. Kennedy also faces a minimum of five (5) years and a maximum term of life in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed, and a fine of up to $250,000.00. for his conviction for carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The Court will also impose a term of supervised release of at least 5 years to follow any term of imprisonment. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

The case is being investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the New York State Police, and the Broome County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristen Grabowski, Richard Southwick, and Geoffrey Brown are prosecuting the case.