Syracuse Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Federal Drug and Firearms Offenses

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Uqoeon Lawrence, age 29, of Syracuse, was sentenced last week to 180 months in prison for drug trafficking, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and firearms trafficking. 

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement. 

Lawrence previously admitted that he repeatedly sold controlled substances, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, in the Syracuse area, and that he possessed a shotgun to protect his drug trafficking.  Lawrence was prohibited from possessing firearms because he had a prior felony conviction.  Lawrence also admitted that he had illegally received from another person two semi-automatic pistols that had been purchased in Maine and brought to Syracuse, and that Lawrence then re-sold the firearms to other individuals in Syracuse.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said, “Uqoeon Lawrence peddled toxic drugs in Syracuse, protected his drug business with illegal firearms, and profited by pumping still more illegal guns into our community.  Syracuse is safer with Lawrence behind bars, where he will remain for 15 years.  My office is committed to bringing dangerous drug dealers like Lawrence to justice.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller stated: “This case reflects our unwavering commitment to working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the people of Syracuse. When individuals flood our streets with guns and deadly drugs, we respond as one team — focused on safeguarding our communities and holding offenders accountable. I’m grateful for the strong collaboration between ATF New York Syracuse Field Office, DEA, the Syracuse Police Department Intelligence Unit, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.”

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes also imposed a 5-year term of supervised release to follow Lawrence’s term of imprisonment.

This case was investigated by ATF, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Syracuse Police Department-Intelligence Unit (SPD-INTEL). The case was prosecuted by Assistance U.S. Attorney Nicolas Commandeur and retired Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.