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Date: 12-08-2022
Case Style:
United States of America v. Eric Ares
Case Number: 5:21-cr-00383
Judge: David N. Hurd
Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (Onondaga County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: United States Attorney’s Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Eric Ares, age 37, from Utica, New York, admitted that from May 2020 through October 2021, he, together with his co-conspirators in the Rodriguez drug trafficking organization, possessed with intent to distribute and distributed fentanyl in the Utica, New York area. Ares admitted to making numerous trips to the New York City area to purchase fentanyl, which he then drove back to the Utica area where he and others re-distributed it. Ares admitted that on September 20, 2021, he drove to the New York City area and received 3 kilograms of fentanyl for redistribution. Law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle Ares was driving and recovered 3 kilograms of fentanyl hidden inside a speaker in the trunk.
Ares faces a minimum of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10 million, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.
This case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI), the New York State Police, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, the City of Utica Police Department, the City of Syracuse Police Department, the City of Rome Police Department, United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE), the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the New York Army National Guard Counter Drug Program, the Village of Yorkville Police Department, and the Village of Whitesboro Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Thomson.
21:846=CD.F - Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance
(1)
21:841A=CD.F - Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substances w/ Forfeiture Allegation
(21)
Outcome: 12/07/2022 TEXT Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge David N. Hurd in Utica, NY. Change of Plea Hearing as to Eric Ares held on 12/7/2022. Plea entered by Eric Ares (2) Guilty to Counts 1 and 21. Spanish Interpreter Carmen Rosado Sworn. Defendant Eric Ares appears with attorney George F. Hildebrandt, Esq. Tamara B. Thomson, AUSA advises Court of charge, change of plea to Count 1 and 21 of Indictment 5:21-CR-383 with a plea agreement. Judge Hurd advises him of his constitutional rights. Defendant Eric Ares waives reading of Indictment 5:21-CR-383, pleads guilty to Count 1 and 21 of Indictment 5:21-CR-383 and is sworn in. After extensive interrogation by the Court, Judge Hurd directs the entry of a plea of guilty to Count 1 and 21 of Indictment 5:21-CR-383, reserves decision as to the Plea Agreement orders the Probation Office to complete a Presentence report and sets an sentencing date for Thursday April 6, 2023 in USDC / Utica, NY at 12:00pm. Judge Hurd entertains and denies motion for release without prejudice to renew. Defendant is ordered remanded to the custody of the USMS pending sentencing. Appearances: Tamara B. Thomson, AUSA for Government; George F. Hildebrandt, Esq. for defendant Eric Ares. Spanish Interpreter Carmen Rosado. (1:00pm -1:45pm) (Court Reporter Lisa Mazzei ) (ptm) (Entered: 12/07/2022)
12/07/2022 TEXT Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge David N. Hurd:Plea entered by Eric Ares (2) Guilty Count 1,21. (Court Reporter Lisa Mazzei) (ptm) (Entered: 12/07/2022)
12/07/2022 102 PLEA AGREEMENT as to Eric Ares. (ptm) (Entered: 12/07/2022)
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
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