Long Island Felon Admits Possessing Loaded Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Hassan Raheem, age 43, of Uniondale, New York, pled guilty today to possessing and intending to distribute crack cocaine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and John B. Devito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Raheem, who has 6 prior felony convictions, admitted that on July 26, 2016, he possessed a loaded .22 caliber semiautomatic pistol and 17 grams of crack cocaine packaged for distribution at a motel in Colonie, New York.  He further admitted that he intended to distribute the crack cocaine to others in exchange for cash, and that he possessed the pistol, which he obtained illegally, to protect his crack and drug proceeds from potential robbers.  The pistol itself was reported stolen from a Mechanicsville, Virginia gun store in 2013.

Raheem faces at least 5 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and at least 3 years of post-release supervision, when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Fredrick J. Scullin, Jr. on June 9, 2020.  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 the ATF and the Colonie Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.