Department of Justice

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Matthew Brooks, 37, of Utica, New York, was sentenced yesterday to serve 108 months (nine years) in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing firearms in furtherance of a federal drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman, Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara and New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli. Brooks was also sentenced to a 5-year term of post-imprisonment supervised release and was ordered to forfeit $3,377.00 in cash, and four firearms.

As part of his previous guilty plea in November 2022, which occurred mid-way through his federal jury trial, Brooks admitted that he sold and packaged fentanyl, used his apartment to distribute fentanyl to customers, rented cars for other members of the conspiracy and possessed firearms at his residence in connection with the drug conspiracy. New York State Troopers and Utica Police Investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence on July 30, 2021, seizing 60 bags of fentanyl, $3,377 in cash and four loaded firearms. The search warrant execution followed a complex investigation stretching over several months.

 Brooks was the latest member of the fentanyl distribution conspiracy to be sentenced.

• Jahari D. Brown Jr., 23, of Utica, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentany, and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on April 26, 2023, to serve 216 months (18 years) in federal prison, to be followed by a 5-year term of supervised release. He also pled guilty in Oneida County Court to attempted murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal possession of a firearm, and reckless endangerment in the first degree, and was sentenced to serve a total of 18 years in state prison and 5 years of post-release supervision. The federal and New York State sentences are to be served concurrently. Chief Assistant District Attorney Todd C. Carville and Oneida County Executive Assistant District Attorney Grant J. Garramone prosecuted Brown in Oneida County Court.
• Kymani K. Minott, 20, of Utica, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on July 14, 2022, to serve 60 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release.
• Daequon D. Perkins, 27, of Utica, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on November 10, 2022, to serve 33 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release.
• Mark W. Baker, 45, of Utica, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on May 18, 2023, to serve 110 months in federal prison, to be followed by a 4-year term of supervised release.
• Melisa Muminovic, 26, of Utica, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. She is scheduled to be sentenced on November 1, 2023. 

The case was investigated by the New York State Police-Special Investigations Unit (NYSP-SIU) and the Utica Police Department (UPD), assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the New York State Police-Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team (NYSP-VGNET). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew McCrobie and Richard Southwick prosecuted the case.

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