ALBANY, N.Y. — An investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Albany, in coordination with law enforcement partners, resulted in the indictment of Omjasisa Kentu Felder, age 53, of Troy, New York, on marijuana trafficking and gun charges.
HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan; United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, of the Northern District; Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; and Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolf, made the announcement.
As alleged in the indictment:
Felder possessed a 9mm handgun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possessed the handgun as a convicted felon, and possessed marijuana with intent to distribute in November 2022, and conspired to distribute marijuana between 2021 and November 2022.
He was arraigned Dec. 2 in Albany and ordered detained pending trial.
HSI, the ATF, the DEA, and Troy Police Department are investigating the case.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Felder faces at least 5 years and up to life imprisonment for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; up to 15 years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and up to 5 years in prison on each of the marijuana trafficking counts. He also faces a fine of up to $250,000 on each count and a term of post release supervision of at least 2 years and up to life.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.