ALBANY, N.Y. — A Halfmoon man faces at least 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and gun crimes in connection with his trafficking in large amounts of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as his possession of nearly 40 firearms.
Anthony Luizzi, 24, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl; and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
According to a press release from the U.S. attorney’s office, Luizzi admitted he conspired to distribute — and possessed with intent and distribute — cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, from his residence in Halfmoon, and an apartment on Western Avenue in Albany. On May 23, 2023, law enforcement searched his Halfmoon apartment where they found more than 11 kilograms of fentanyl pills, along with five firearms, including a defaced shotgun.
Police also seized $2,616 in cash as drug proceeds. On that same day, police also searched the Western Avenue apartment and found 34 more firearms, as well as more than 400 grams of fentanyl pills, more than 7,000 grams of pills containing methamphetamine, and more than 700 grams of cocaine.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 16 before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Luizzi faces at least 15 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $10 million, and a supervised release term of at least five years and up to life, to begin after he finishes his prison term.
Two defendants, also arrested on May 23, 2023, still face charges in connection with this case.
Brandon Bartley was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He was ordered detained pending trial. Jabree Jones was charged with a violation of the terms of his supervised release and was detained pending the resolution of the supervised release violation petition.
United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.
The DEA and the ATF are investigating the case, with assistance from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (USDOL-OIG). Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Wentworth-Ping is prosecuting the case.
