Skip to main content
Press Release

Schenectady Man Indicted on Drug and Gun Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of New York
Faces a 10-Year Minimum Term of Imprisonment if Convicted on All Counts

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Rhamel G. Pate, age 39,  of Schenectady, New York, was charged today by a superseding indictment alleging three drug trafficking offenses and two gun possession charges.

The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon and Thomas F. Relford, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Pate was first indicted on March 21, 2019, on one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine and one count of distribution of crack cocaine. The superseding indictment additionally charges Pate with one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Pate faces a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years, for the drug conspiracy and possession charges, and a maximum sentence of 20 years for the drug distribution charge. For the charge of possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, Pate faces a minimum sentence of 5 years, to be served after any other term of imprisonment is complete. For being a felon in possession of firearms, Pate faces a maximum sentence of 10 years.

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 its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily C. Powers.

Updated October 22, 2020

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses