Colonie Man Sentenced to Over Seven Years in Prison for Drug Possession and Distribution

A Colonie man was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison for possessing and intending to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Carla B. Freedman and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division.

Benz Coleman, 34, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his arrest on January 31, 2024. According to court records, Coleman admitted to possessing more than 3,000 fentanyl pills and over 13 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute. He also acknowledged that between November 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024, he sold more than 2,400 fentanyl pills.

Senior U.S. District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn sentenced Coleman to 90 months in prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the DEA and the Colonie Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Belliss led the prosecution.