A Freeport man with multiple prior felony convictions faces up to 45 years in prison after a Suffolk County jury found him guilty of selling cocaine to an undercover detective three times in 2025.
Ishmel Owens, 34, was convicted Wednesday, Aug. 19, following a jury trial before Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Timothy P. Mazzei, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney.
Prosecutors said Suffolk County police began an undercover investigation in April 2025 after receiving information that Owens was selling narcotics.
On April 24, Owens met an undercover detective at the Lowe’s shopping center in Commack and sold the detective 0.06 ounces of cocaine for $250, according to prosecutors.
Six days later, Owens met the detective at the Uncle Giuseppe’s shopping center in Melville and sold 0.13 ounces of cocaine for $350.
A third transaction was arranged for May 29 at the Lowe’s in Commack. According to prosecutors, the undercover detective texted Owens that he had $400 and wanted two “balls,” a term referring to eighth-ounce quantities of cocaine.
The meeting was postponed until May 30, when prosecutors said Owens sold the detective 0.125 ounces of cocaine for $400.
After Owens left, the detective determined that Owens had provided crack cocaine rather than powder cocaine and that the amount was less than requested, prosecutors said. The detective contacted Owens and asked him to return to correct the transaction. Owens agreed to meet again but never appeared, according to the district attorney’s office.
Owens was arrested Jan. 14, 2026, in Inwood.
The jury convicted him of three counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and three counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, all Class B felonies.
He was also convicted of two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, Class C felonies, and one count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor.
Prosecutors said the verdict marks Owens’ fourth felony conviction since 2010. His previous convictions include third-degree criminal possession of a weapon in 2022, first-degree robbery and second-degree burglary in 2016, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property in 2011 and petit larceny in 2010.
“This defendant has amassed a total of six criminal convictions, and his latest crime of selling illegal narcotics underscores his continued willingness to endanger the public,” Tierney said.
Owens is scheduled to return to court Sept. 21 for sentencing. He faces up to 45 years in prison and is represented by the Legal Aid Society.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Raquel Tisi and Priyanka Seth, with assistance from the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Bureau. The investigation was conducted by the Suffolk County Police Department Narcotics Section with assistance from other department personnel.
Photo: SCDA
