Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that a 51-year-old Brooklyn man who had been found guilty of possessing drugs in 2022 but absconded has been sentenced to prison.

Nicomus James was sentenced in front of the Honorable Roger McDonough Friday to serve seven and a half years in state prison followed by two years of post-release supervision.

On Nov. 3, 2019, Colonie Police pulled over a vehicle operated by James’ brother, Lewis James, 46, on Central Avenue. Nicomus James was in the front passenger seat, and Police found marijuana and crack cocaine on the men. A search warrant was later executed at their room at the Red Carpet Inn, and Police found more drugs and drug distribution paraphernalia.

Nicomus James failed to show up for the May 2022 trial, when his brother was eventually found guilty of drug possession and possession with intent to sell. He has since served a five-year state prison term. Nicomus James was tried in absentia and found guilty of the same charges.

Investigators with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) were able to locate Nicomus James in New York City in May and returned him to Albany County Court on a bench warrant on May 20.

Assistant District Attorney Bryanne Brucato of the Street Crimes Bureau prosecuted the case.