Source: United States Attorneys General
Headline: Franklin County Man Charged in Connection with Large Cocaine Seizure
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Jake Patnode, age 24, of Hogansburg, New York, was arrested on Saturday and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-Buffalo Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Kevin Kelly, Oswego County District Attorney Gregory Oakes, and Oswego County Sheriff Reuel A. Todd.
According to a criminal complaint, Oswego County Sheriff’s Deputies seized approximately 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of cocaine from a vehicle driven by the defendant northbound on Interstate Route 81 in the Oswego County Town of Hastings late Saturday evening after it was observed exceeding the posted speed limit. The charge in the complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Patnode appeared in federal court today and was ordered held without bail pending a hearing scheduled for February 15, 2018.
The charge filed against Patnode carries a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. 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 is being investigated by HSI and the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Levine.