Utica man sentenced on federal fentanyl charges

SYRACUSE, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — A Utica man learned his fate in federal court on Wednesday, May 1 after pleading guilty to fentanyl possession charges.

38-year-old Eric Ares of Utica was sentenced to ten years in federal prison for consipiring to possess and distribute fentanyl on Wednesday, according to United States Attorney Carla Freedman. Ares pled guilty in an earlier appearance in the Syracuse Federal Court.

As part of his guilty plea, Ares admitted that from May of 2020 through October of 2021, he — along with several co-conspirators — possessed and distributed fentanyl in the Utica area. He also admitted to making numerous trips to New York City to purchase the drug to distribute in the area.

In September of 2021, Ares admitted to receiving three kilograms of fentanyl during one trip to New York City. Law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle and recovered the drugs, which they allegedly found hidden in a speaker in the trunk.

In addition to the 10-year prison sentence, Ares will also be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release upon his release. He will also be required to pay over $150,000 to the court.

According to the United States Department of Justice, the case is still being investigated by the following entities:

• The United States Drug Enforcement Agency,
• The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations Unit,
• The United States Department of Homeland Security’s Investigations Unit,
• The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations,
• The New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program,
• The New York State Police,
• The Oneida County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices,
• The Onondaga County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices,
• The City Police Departments of Utica, Rome and Syracuse, and
• The Village Police Departments of Yorkville and Whitesboro.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.