Johnson City man arrested with 20 pounds of meth, guns, cash

A Johnson City warehouse-style building held more than 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, several firearms and about $24,000 in cash, according to investigators who say the drugs were meant for distribution across Broome County. The seizure, tied to a federal case filed against 69-year-old Robert Randesi, put narcotics, guns and suspected gun-making equipment under one roof.

Randesi, of Johnson City, was charged federally on June 11, 2026, after search warrants were executed at the property. Authorities said the search turned up quantities of marijuana, several firearms including AR-15 style rifles and privately made firearms known as ghost guns, lower receivers, firearm parts, ammunition and a firearm suppressor.

Investigators also recovered machinist tools and metal fabricating equipment they said were consistent with making or milling firearm parts. That combination, they said, pointed to more than simple possession: the case brought together suspected drug trafficking, firearms possession and the tools used to produce or modify weapon components.

The investigation involved the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, along with the Johnson City Police Department, Binghamton Police Department, Broome County Sheriff’s Office, FBI Albany Field Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York and the Broome County District Attorney’s Office. Federal prosecutors and the FBI said the narcotics were intended for distribution throughout Broome County communities.

Johnson City Police Chief Brent Dodge said 21 pounds of methamphetamine represents more than half a million dosage units and “would be enough to get every man, woman, and child in Broome County high three times over.” Authorities stressed that the charges are accusations and that Randesi is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The case adds to the burden on local and federal agencies that now have to confront drug sales, firearm recovery and suspected homemade-gun production as part of the same regional investigation.