Chemung County man faces possible life in prison after guilty plea on federal drug charges

A Chemung County man who was arrested following a high-speed chase through parts of Tioga and Broome counties in 2021 faces up to life in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to drug and illegal firearm charges.

Charles Kennedy, 26, of Elmira, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Kennedy was taken into custody Sept. 5, 2021, after a high-speed chase that began when he fled from New York State Police in Tioga County during a DWI investigation.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office joined the pursuit after Kennedy's car crossed into Broome County, and his car crashed on Route 17 when he unsuccessfully attempted to jump out of the moving vehicle after a sheriff's sergeant deployed tire deflation devices.

Kennedy was pinned between the open passenger-side door and a concrete abutment but suffered only minor injuries, police said.

When police searched Kennedy's vehicle, they reportedly located a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, as well as methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine powder, fentanyl, marijuana, and a money-counting machine.

Kennedy admitted during his guilty plea that he conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine base, cocaine powder, heroin, and fentanyl.

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Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13. Kennedy faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison and up to $10 million in fines for his narcotics convictions, and between five years and life in prison, plus up to $250,000 in fines, for the firearms conviction. The sentences would run consecutively.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives also assisted in the investigation.

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