Jobie Patterson, 53, from Syracuse, has pleaded guilty to charges involving firearms trafficking and possession of child pornography, according to an announcement from United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli.
In his plea, Patterson admitted to a conspiracy stretching from December 2022 to January 2023 to unlawfully transfer firearms. Patterson acknowledged receiving photographs and videos of firearms obtained by a coconspirator through a straw purchaser in Georgia. He then sold these firearms in Syracuse, knowing the buyer had a felony conviction, which would make possession by the buyer a felony. Patterson sold four handguns at a meeting in Syracuse.
Patterson also confessed to possessing child pornography. He admitted to possessing explicit images and videos of a 16-year-old girl and acknowledged directing her, through messages, to produce and send these images to him. He then stored them in his personal cloud account.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 13, 2025. For firearms offenses, Patterson faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He may also have to forfeit the firearms involved. For child pornography, the maximum is 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. He could face a supervised release term of five years to life after imprisonment, and may be required to pay restitution and register as a sex offender.
The FBI, with support from the New York State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, is handling the investigation. Prosecutor Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is leading the case under Project Safe Childhood and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative aimed at addressing child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated federal, state, and local resources. Project Safe Neighborhoods targets violent crime reduction through strategic enforcement and community partnerships.