Syracuse Man Receives 78 Months in Prison for Drug and Firearm Crimes

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – James Bolds, age 36, of Syracuse, was sentenced yesterday to 78 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of body armor by a person convicted of a crime of violence.

United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile made the announcement.

As part of his prior guilty plea, Bolds admitted that in October 2022, he possessed in his Syracuse apartment approximately 27 grams of cocaine, which he intended to distribute to others. Bolds further admitted that he also possessed at his apartment a loaded handgun, knowing that he had previously been convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Bolds acknowledged that he had prior convictions in North Carolina for robbery, assault inflicting serious bodily harm, and possession of a firearm by a felon. Bolds also admitted possessing in his apartment approximately 67 rounds of ammunition and a bulletproof vest.

United States District Judge David N. Hurd also sentenced Bolds to a 3-year term of supervised release, which will begin after his term of imprisonment.

The FBI and the Syracuse Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie prosecuted the case.