James Alvin Boone, II, a 30-year-old resident of Schenectady, New York, has pleaded guilty to charges related to drug trafficking and firearm possession. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino, III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.
Boone confessed to conspiring with another individual to distribute fentanyl and cocaine across the Capital Region. He instructed his co-conspirator to store over 25,000 fentanyl pills weighing more than 3 kilograms, along with two handguns, ammunition, and several hundred grams of cocaine in a storage unit and at her residence. Boone also admitted to personally distributing fentanyl and directing his associate to do likewise. Prior to this conspiracy, on July 28, 2023, he possessed over 1.4 kilograms of cocaine and a pistol in a safe at his home. These narcotics, firearms, and ammunition were seized by law enforcement during their investigation. Additionally, Boone acknowledged that following his arrest he directed another person to dispose of additional fentanyl pills.
Boone is facing a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison with the possibility of life imprisonment. He will also face a term of supervised release ranging from at least five years up to life after serving his prison sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2025, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Sentencing decisions are based on specific statutes violated by the defendant as well as U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
The DEA led the investigation into this case with support from the Colonie Police Department, Schenectady Police Department, and New York State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mikayla Espinosa is handling the prosecution.