Syracuse Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Offense

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Kelvin Lacen-Roman, age 44, of Syracuse, New York, plead guilty today to possessing with intent to distribute cocaine.

The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, the Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General ("USPS-OIG"), Matthew M. Modafferi, and the United States Postal Inspection Service ("USPIS"), Boston Division, Acting Inspector in Charge Jason Buckley.

As part of his plea, Lacen-Roman admitted that on March 17, 2026, he possessed with intent to distribute over 3 kilograms of cocaine in Onondaga County. He had the cocaine shipped from Puerto Rico to Syracuse, New York. After receiving the cocaine Lacen-Roman intended to sell it to numerous customers located in Onondaga County and elsewhere.

"This defendant's scheme to receive dangerous narcotics through the mail was foiled thanks to the efforts of the USPS-OIG and the USPIS," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III. "The Department of Justice remains committed to disrupting the flow of deadly drugs into our communities. Through our strong partnership with law enforcement across the Postal Service, Mr. Lacen-Roman is now facing up to 40 years in federal prison."

Matthew M. Modafferi, Special Agent in Charge of the Northeast Area Field Office of the USPS-OIG stated: "The use of the U.S. Mail to traffic dangerous narcotics is a serious federal offense. This guilty plea reflects the coordinated efforts of the USPS OIG, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Central New York Contraband Interdiction Team, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York. The USPS OIG values its strong working relationship with its law enforcement partners."

Acting Inspector in Charge, Jason Buckley of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Boston Division stated: "The Postal Service has no interest in being involved in the distribution of illegal drugs. Our objectives are to rid the mail of illicit drug trafficking, preserve the integrity of the mail and, most importantly, provide a safe environment for postal employees and the American public. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with our federal law enforcement partners, will remain vigilant in pursuing criminals who seek to use the mail stream illegally."

Sentencing is scheduled for October 1^st, 2026, before Senior United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. At sentencing, Lacen-Roman faces a prison term of at least 5 years and up to 40 years, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and a supervised release term of at least 4 years and up to life. A defendant's sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is convicted of violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

This case is being investigated by USPS-OIG and the Central New York Contraband Interdiction Team which consists of members of USPIS, the Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, and the Oswego Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey J. L. Brown is prosecuting the case.