Man Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Drug Trafficking And Gun Possession

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Dwayne Handy, 37, of Syracuse, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve fifteen years in prison for his convictions for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base (crack cocaine); possession with the intent to distribute over 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and heroin; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge James Burns, and Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler. Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby also sentenced Handy to five years of supervised release following his jail term.

The sentence yesterday stemmed from a joint DEA and Syracuse Police investigation begun in 2013 into Handy’s drug trafficking activities in the Syracuse area. The wiretap investigation culminated on April 15, 2014, when agents arrested Handy and co-conspirator Brock Yancy while they were traveling to a drug deal. Search warrants were executed at their residences, as well as a "stash" location they utilized on Butternut Street, Syracuse, where law enforcement officers recovered over 500 grams (1/2 kilogram) of crack cocaine, 500 grams (1/2 kilogram) of powder cocaine, heroin, and over $10,000.00 in cash in a safe belonging to Handy. Also seized in the search were several boxes of ammunition and four (4) handguns.

This case was investigated by the DEA and Syracuse Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carla Freedman.