News release
George D. Robinson V Admits to Possession with Intent to Distribute of Methamphetamine and Possessing Three Handguns as a FelonÂ
SYRACUSE, NY — George D. Robinson, V., of Watertown, New York pled guilty today to possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it, and possessing three semiautomatic handguns as a convicted felon, announced United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Matthew Scarpino, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo, New York Field Office, and Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna S. Mills.
As part of today’s guilty plea, Robinson admitted that he possessed 98 grams of methamphetamine with intent to sell it when members of the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at his home in Watertown, New York on February 5, 2021. Also seized pursuant to the search warrant were three semiautomatic handguns possessed by Robinson, who is a convicted felon. He was previously convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in United States District Court for the Northern District of New York in 2004 and was sentenced then to serve 24 months in federal prison.
Sentencing in this case is scheduled for February 24, 2022, in Syracuse, at which time the defendant faces a minimum sentence of 10 years, and up to life in prison, and a fine of up to 10 million dollars for his conviction for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.00 for his conviction for possession of firearms as a convicted felon. The Court will also impose a term of post-incarceration supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force, consisting of Detectives from the City of Watertown Police Department, Detectives from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Investigators from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Agents of the United States Border Patrol, and Special Agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security Investigations. The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) also assisted.
This case was brought through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick.