CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced that Travis Austin, 32, of Islip, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison for his role in a large-scale narcotics and illegal firearms trafficking operation that distributed fentanyl, cocaine, and ghost guns throughout Suffolk County.
This sentence reflects our unwavering commitment to removing illegal guns and deadly drugs from our communities,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Those who traffic in firearms and narcotics pose an enormous threat to public safety, and my office will continue to pursue significant prison sentences for individuals who engage in this dangerous conduct.”
According to the investigation and Austin’s admissions during his guilty plea, between June and September 2024, he participated in multiple high-volume sales of fentanyl and cocaine across Suffolk County. During the same period, Austin also sold a loaded handgun and arranged the sale of four additional firearms.
On October 1, 2024, Austin arrived at a Starbucks on Expressway Drive South in Islandia to complete the sale of five firearms that had been prearranged. Upon entering the parking lot, he was taken into custody by law enforcement. A court-authorized search of his vehicle led to the recovery of five unserialized handguns containing 3D-printed components, as well as fentanyl, felony-weight quantities of cocaine, and multiple cellular phones consistent with narcotics and firearms trafficking.
Investigators also executed a search warrant at a storage unit rented by Austin, where they recovered two kilo presses used to manufacture brick-shaped narcotics, along with additional drug packaging materials and paraphernalia associated with large-scale drug distribution.
On August 27, 2025, Austin pleaded guilty before Supreme Court Justice Steven Pilewski to numerous felony charges, including multiple counts of first- and second-degree criminal sale of controlled substances, criminal possession and sale of firearms, possession of high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, and felony drug possession.
On January 20, 2026, Austin was sentenced to an aggregate term of 12 years in state prison.
Key Facts and Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Travis Austin |
| Age | 32 |
| Residence | Islip, New York |
| Sentence | 12 years in New York State prison |
| Sentencing Date | January 20, 2026 |
| Prosecuting Agency | Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office |
| District Attorney | Raymond A. Tierney |
| Criminal Activity Period | June 2024 – September 2024 |
| Primary Crimes | Large-scale narcotics trafficking and illegal firearms sales |
| Drugs Involved | Fentanyl and cocaine (felony-weight quantities) |
| Firearms Involved | Unserialized handguns (“ghost guns”), including weapons with 3D-printed components |
| Arrest Location | Starbucks parking lot, Expressway Drive South, Islandia |
| Items Recovered from Vehicle | Five ghost guns, fentanyl, cocaine, multiple cellphones |
| Storage Unit Evidence | Two kilo presses and drug distribution paraphernalia |
| Top Charges Pled Guilty To | Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance (1st & 2nd Degree), Criminal Sale of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon |
| Court | Suffolk County Supreme Court |
| Sentencing Judge | Justice Steven Pilewski |
