SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Nathaniel Howell, 40, of Medford, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possession of significant quantities of cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl with intent to distribute. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the sentencing, highlighting Howell’s continued criminal activities while on parole.
Howell, who pleaded guilty in April to charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, was caught in November 2023 distributing narcotics from his Medford residence. The District Attorney’s Fentanyl Task Force, after executing a search warrant, recovered over 1.57 ounces of fentanyl and substantial amounts of heroin mixed with fentanyl, in addition to seizing over $305,000 in cash.
This conviction adds to Howell’s extensive criminal record, which includes seven prior felony convictions ranging from drug possession to weapon possession. The recent search mirrored a 2020 incident which also resulted in significant narcotic and firearm seizures from Howell’s home.
DA Tierney criticized the parole system for its ineffectiveness in monitoring parolees like Howell, who was on parole for prior drug and weapon offenses at the time of his latest crimes. Howell’s sentencing by Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro on May 9 includes five years of post-release supervision, aiming to mitigate further community risk.