Albany man sentenced to 188 months in prison for robbing drug dealer in Guilderland in 2022

The US Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York says Jorge L. Rosario, 54, of Albany was sentenced on Thursday to 188 months, or 15.6 years, in prison for robbing a marijuana dealer in January 2022.

Rosario previously entered a guilty plea in March 2024 for the armed robbery.

Chief US District Judge Branda K. Sannes ordered a 5-year term of supervised release of Rosario, following his release from prison. Authorities say the sentence was within a recommended sentencing range and the supervised release term that the parties agreed upon in Rosario’s plea agreement.

The other person involved in the robbery, Alexander G. Madera, was sentenced in June 2024 to 85 months in prison, followed by a 3-year-term of supervised release, said the district attorney’s office.

Authorities say on January 23, 2022 around 5 a.m., Rosario and Madera entered a Guilderland residence armed with a pistol and rifle, respectively, with the goal of robbing a marijuana dealer.

The DA’s Office says Rosario remained in the living room while Madera robbed the dealer of $172 in drug money, at gunpoint, in the dealer’s bedroom.

Another resident of the home woke up and encountered Rosario, which then Rosario pointed the pistol at the resident and warned them not to move or say anything. A struggle over the pistol followed this.

During the struggle of the weapon, Rosario and Madera were disarmed and restrained until police arrived and arrested both of them. Authorities say both were in custody until their sentencings.

The case was investigated by Guilderland Police, the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with assistance from the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.