Green Island Man Indicted for Intending to Distribute Crack and Cocaine

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Richard Thomas, age 53, of Green Island, New York, was arraigned yesterday on a charge that he possessed and intended to distribute crack cocaine and cocaine.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and James N. Hendricks, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to the indictment, on September 10, 2018, Thomas possessed and intended to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base (a/k/a crack cocaine) and cocaine.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Thomas is in custody pending trial.  If convicted, Thomas faces at least 10 years and up to 40 years in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 8 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 the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Alicia Suarez.