Albany Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Firearms Offenses

ALBANY, NEW YORK - Tymell Cooks, age 36, of Albany, pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division, made the announcement.

Cooks admitted that between January and June 2024, he sold approximately 202 grams of fentanyl to another person, both directly and using a co-conspirator. In June 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his Albany residence and located approximately 69 grams of cocaine, a loaded Cobra Firearms Shadow 38 Special revolver, a loaded M&P Shield EZ 2.0 Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol, ammunition, $4,850 in cash, and body armor. Cooks admitted that he possessed the firearms to protect his drug supply and proceeds.

Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III stated: "Fentanyl continues to fuel the deadly overdose crisis across our communities. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who traffic in this poison and use illegal firearms to protect their criminal enterprises. We thank the DEA and our law enforcement partners for their continued efforts to dismantle these dangerous networks."

DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III stated: "Today's guilty plea of Tymell Cooks is thanks to the hard work and determination of our DEA special agents and partners in targeting those individuals who pose a danger to our society. New Yorkers deserve safe communities free of drugs and violence, and the DEA is committed to delivering that."

Sentencing is scheduled for January 6, 2026, before United States District Judge Anne M. Nardacci. Cooks faces a prison term of at least 10 years and up to life; a fine of up to $5 million; 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.

DEA investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashlyn Miranda is prosecuting the case.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice's violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.