Canastota Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Federal Prison for Meth, Fentanyl Conspiracy and Firearms Offense

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — A Canastota man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and for illegally possessing firearms while using controlled substances.

Andrew Snyder, 46, was sentenced on Tuesday to 60 months behind bars after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and a heroin/fentanyl mixture, and possessing firearms as an unlawful drug user. His sentence also includes four years of supervised release following incarceration.

Federal prosecutors say Snyder and his wife, Jessica Snyder, ran a drug operation out of the garage of their Madison County home from October 2020 through May 2022. During that time, the couple distributed methamphetamine and a heroin/fentanyl mix to others in the area.

The case escalated when, during a search of their property on May 17, 2022, investigators discovered that Andrew Snyder was in possession of two 9mm handguns and ammunition, despite being a known user of methamphetamine—making it illegal for him to own or possess firearms under federal law.

Jessica Snyder is expected to be sentenced later this month on April 24, 2025.

The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), in collaboration with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and with support from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New York State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas R. Sutcliffe and Matthew J. McCrobie handled the prosecution.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to crack down on drug-related crime and illegal firearm possession in Central New York.