Utica Woman Charged With Federal Drug Crimes

 SYRACUSE NEW YORK – Cortny Biagini, age 28, of Utica, New York, was arraigned in federal court yesterday on an indictment charging her with federal fentanyl and methamphetamine charges, announced Acting United States Attorney Antoinette T. Bacon, Ray Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Field Division, and New York State Police Superintendent Keith Corlett.

The indictment charges Biagini in two counts: Count One alleges that she possessed with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a maximum potential sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of five years’ imprisonment, a maximum lifetime term of supervised release, a mandatory minimum term of four years’ supervised release, and a maximum fine of $5,000,000.  Count Two alleges that Biagini possessed with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum potential sentence of life imprisonment, a mandatory minimum term of 10 years’ imprisonment, a maximum lifetime term of supervised release, a mandatory minimum term of five years’ supervised release, and a maximum fine of $10,000,000.  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. The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Biagini was arraigned yesterday in Binghamton, New York, before United States Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric, and detained pending a trial scheduled before Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. 

This case is being investigated the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New York State Police, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew D. Beaty.