GUILDERLAND MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SECURITIES FRAUD.(BUSINESS)

Byline: JO-ANN JOHNSTON Business writer

A Guilderland man pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Thursday to two federal counts of securities fraud that cost investment clients more than $2.3 million, according to authorities.

Jeffrey Ward Jones, 37, of Guilderland, was released after entering the plea to await sentencing on Feb. 12. He faces the possibility of a prison sentence of up to 20 years -- though sentencing guidelines recommend around three years -- and fines of up to $2 million, according to U.S. Department of Justice. Jones also agreed to make restitution to the 22 victims, many of them from the Capital Region.

``He realized that he was …