The state Attorney General’s Office stated Thursday that 31 people involved in two significant drug trafficking cases in Central New York pleaded guilty and were sentenced to jail.
The defendants, who were named in two indictments for conspiracy, gun charges, and drug crimes, were part of two drug trafficking networks that sold fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine in Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence counties, according to an AG’s Office press release.
The two drug rings included in the indictment were known as the “Castro Group” and the “Pettiford Group.”
Bayron Castro, the leader of the Castro Group, was charged, along with 23 others, for supplying narcotics to customers in Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Cortland counties, according to officials.
Authorities said they discovered over 100,000 glassine envelopes containing fentanyl and heroin that Castro was storing and trafficking from suitcases in a Syracuse apartment.
Castro pled guilty to first-degree criminal possession of a controlled narcotic and received a 12-year term in state prison on February 5, according to officials.
Edward Pettiford led the “Pettiford Group,” according to officials. The AG’s office accused eight people of trafficking narcotics and methamphetamine, as well as other related incidents in Onondaga and Oswego counties, officials said.
The investigation discovered that alleged Bricktown member Malik Evans was distributing narcotics throughout Onondaga and Oswego counties, and Evans was supplied by Henry Townsend and Brycedon James, both of whom were supplied by Pettiford, according to officials.
Pettiford pleaded guilty to third-degree illegal sale of a controlled narcotic and received a six-year jail term in November 2024, according to prosecutors.
Another defendant, Henry Townsend, allegedly shot an innocent bystander across the street while sitting in his truck in his driveway on West Newell Street in Syracuse, according to police. Townsend later pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in relation to that shooting. He also pleaded guilty to third-degree illegal sale of a prohibited narcotic and received a 12-year jail term in November 2024.
The inquiry resulted in the recovery of more than 150,000 envelopes containing fentanyl or a combination of fentanyl and heroin, worth more than $500,000, according to investigators. Investigators also found a pound of methamphetamine and a quarter kilogram of cocaine.
As part of their guilty pleas in Onondaga County Court, the defendants forfeited more than $25,000 in drug trafficking proceeds, as well as two vehicles used to transport and distribute the contraband.
The offenders pleaded guilty, and most were sentenced in 2024 and early 2025, with the most recent being sentenced in March.
Here are the people who pled guilty and received sentences:
- Deion Bradley, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
- Bayron Castro, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He forfeited two vehicles.
- Jose Cosme of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
- Jean Carlos Cruz, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years in prison.
- Miguel Cruz, of Liverpool, pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy was sentenced to five to ten years in prison.
- Lamell Davis, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to ten years in state prison.
- Johnathan Delgado, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
- Malik Evans, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years in prison.
- Chad Firenze, of Granby, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to two years in prison.
- Terrah Frederick, of Adams Center, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to four years in prison.
- Jaidyn Freeman, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years in prison.
- Shawn Gifford, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to three and a half years in prison plus two years of post-release supervision.
- Michael Hudgins, of Syracuse, NY pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years of probation.
- Xavier Jackson, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to three years in prison.
- Brycedon James, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
- Emmanuel Jenkins, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to attempted tampering with physical evidence and was sentenced to time served.
- Kwamea Jenkins, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance in and was sentenced to six years in prison.
- Luis Miguel Joaquin, of the Bronx, N.Y., pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to eight years in prison.
- David Kalet, of Port Byron, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to four years in prison.
- James Kelley, of Liverpool, pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance. His sentence is pending.
- Christopher Lanzafame, of Baldwinsville, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years of probation.
- Docciana Mack, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years of probation.
- Devine Mobley, Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.
- James Odom, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to five years of probation.
- Edward Pettiford, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to six years in prison.
- Keenan Scott, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to four years in prison.
- Jamar Sheppard, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and was sentenced to three years in prison.
- Carlos Torres, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted criminal sale of a controlled substance. His sentence is pending.
- Henry Townsend, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon He was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
- Jeffrey Walts, of Central Square, pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
- Tevon Webb, of Syracuse, pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 180 days in prison.