Oneida Resident Sentenced on Drug Charges

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK –Wanda Kingsley, age 49, of Florence, New York, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court judge Glenn T. Suddaby to 70 months imprisonment on jury on three felony counts, including a methamphetamine conspiracy involving the manufacture of 50 grams or more and a conspiracy to possess or distribute pseudoephedrine knowing it was intended to be used to manufacture a controlled substance - announced United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian.

Following a three day jury trial in February, 2014, Kingsley and co-defendant Terry Ross, age 53, also of Florence, were convicted of a conspiracy to manufacture 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B) and 846, a conspiracy to possess or distribute pseudoephedrine knowing it was intended to be used to manufacture methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(c)(1) and 846, and one count each of possessing or distributing pseudoephedrine knowing it was intended to be used to manufacture methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(c)(1).

The evidence at trial showed that between 2010 and 2012, defendants Ross and Kingsley, individually and together with each other and with others, purchased pseudoephedrine pills from pharmacies in Oneida County, and knowingly provided the pills to other co-conspirators who used them on numerous occasions in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Between November 2010 and January 2012, Ross purchased pseudoephedrine pills on 21 separate occasions from Oneida county pharmacies, and Kingsley, at the time Ross’ live-in girlfriend, purchased pseudoephedrine pills on 49 separate occasions. Ross and Kingsley also assisted in the methamphetamine manufacturing process in various ways, including procuring and assembling some of the necessary ingredients and apparatus for the meth “cook,” and providing assistance during the cooking process, in exchange for a portion of the finished product methamphetamine.

Following her incarceration, Kingsley will be placed on supervised release for a period of 4 years. Previously, on June 17, 2014, Judge Suddaby sentenced Ross to a term of imprisonment of 108 month, followed by a term of supervised release of 4 years.

The prosecution arose from the investigative efforts of the City of Oneida Police Department, the New York State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carl Eurenius. For more information, please contact AUSA Eurenius at (315) 448-0672.