Suffolk Man Gets 10 Years For Possession Of Loaded Firearm, Narcotics: DA

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A Coram man was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in April to illegally possessing a gun, drugs and money, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced Friday.

Desmond Roberts, 32, possessed a loaded semi-automatic firearm, fentanyl, cocaine, and oxycodone, which investigators said they found near multiple children while executing a court-ordered search warrant of his home in June 2023. Roberts also faces five years of post-release supervision.

"Today's sentencing underscores the severity of repeated criminal behavior, especially when it endangers the safety of young children," Tierney said in a news release. "Despite being on probation for a prior felony conviction, the defendant again violated the law by illegally possessing a gun and illegal substances. This sentence reflects our commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting our community from recidivists."

Roberts was represented by Christopher Brocato.

"At the time of his sentencing, my client expressed regret for his actions and intent to use the time in custody to become a positive force within his community," Brocato told Patch.

Suffolk County Police Department detectives searched Roberts' Coram home on June 9, 2023, according to court documents.

Detectives found a loaded Smith and Wesson 9 mm semi-automatic firearm, as well as 9.71 ounces of cocaine, 4.56 ounces of fentanyl, and 0.58 ounces of oxycodone, investigators said. All the drugs were packaged in a "manner consistent with drug sales," officials said. Law enforcement also found drug paraphernalia including drug packaging material, diluents, three digital scales, multiple cellular phones, and more than $190K in cash, prosecutors said.

Three young children were in the home near the drugs and gun when detectives searched the residence, authorities said.

At the time of the offense, Roberts was serving a sentence of probation for a 2018 conviction for
third-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony, the DA said.

Roberts pleaded guilty on April 19 to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree criminal controlled substance, both felonies.