Jamaican Citizen Admits Possessing Loaded Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Jevar Sturridge, age 25, and a citizen of Jamaica, pled guilty today to possession of crack cocaine, powder cocaine and heroin with the intent to distribute those drugs, and to the possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

As part of his plea, Sturridge admitted that on February 15, 2017, he possessed 48 grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine), 42 grams of powder cocaine, and 42 grams of heroin in his apartment in Massena, New York.  Sturridge further admitted to possessing, in his apartment, a loaded Smith and Wesson .40 caliber handgun and a loaded Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, in order to guard against the potential theft of his drugs and drug proceeds. 

Sturridge faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $8 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life when he is sentenced on August 7, 2018 by United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino.  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.

This case was investigated by HSI, the Massena Police Department and the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katherine Kopita and Emmet O’Hanlon.