Western District of New York

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that John Davis, Jr., 40, of Lockport, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and unlawful possession of firearms. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, the DEA and the Niagara County Drug Task Force began investigating the defendant’s narcotics distribution activities in May 2021 after receiving information that Davis was selling cocaine from his Gabriel Drive residence to various customers in the Lockport area. On May 28, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence and seized approximately 180 grams of crack cocaine and 255 grams of cocaine, approximately $8,031 in cash, narcotics packaging materials, a food sealer, and a scale with cocaine residue in the apartment. A .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun and .22 caliber rifle were also recovered. On August 5, 2021, investigators executed another search warrant at Davis’ residence and recovered approximately 12 grams of cocaine, a digital scale with suspected cocaine residue, packaging material, and more cash.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was held pending a detention hearing on August 25, 2021, at 1:00 p.m.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division, and the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Michael Regan, 39, of Williamsville, NY, with production and possession of child pornography, and enticement of a minor. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on December 2, 2020, the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force was contacted by the Buffalo Police Department, which believed that the defendant was engaged in a sexual conversation with a 13 year-old-girl (Victim) through social media. Regan, a former corrections officer who identified himself as “Jason,” and the Victim met over Snapchat in late July and continued to chat over the next several weeks on social media. The chats were often sexual in nature with the defendant requesting that the victim send him sexually explicit photographs and videos. As the conversations progressed, Regan made plans to meet the Victim for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. In August, Regan met the Minor Victim and engaged in sexual contact.  At one point, the defendant claimed to be a Cheektowaga Police Officer. In addition, investigators uncovered sexually explicit photographs of an additional Victim, who was an infant, produced by Regan, on the defendant’s cell phone.  

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Lamborghini Lucas, 33, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with unlawfully manufacturing firearms. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth T. Molisani, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on August 6, 2021, investigators executed a New York State search warrant at the defendant’s Woodlawn Avenue residence. During the search, a loaded Polymer 80 PF940SC 9mm PMF firearm, also known as a ghost gun, was recovered under a mattress in a bedroom. An additional three Polymer 80 PF940SC 9mm PMF firearms were discovered in a laundry basket full of clothing. A box sent from “JSD Supply,” which sells gun parts kits, was located in the living room. A receipt in the box showed three “PF940SC Full build kit-Minus Frame,” Two “Polymer 80 PF940SC Black,” One “Polymer 80 PF940SC Gray” for a total of $1,259.94. Throughout the residence, investigators also located three Polymer 80 boxes, three polymer 80 jigs, rotary bits, and a power drill. A records check determined that Lucas does not have a license to manufacture or deal in firearms.

The defendant appeared at a detention hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on electronic monitoring.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Tiago Mello-Lima, 34, a Brazilian citizen living in Canada, who was convicted of bringing aliens to the United States for commercial advantage or private financial gain, was sentenced to serve 27 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Kruly, who handled the case, stated that the defendant managed and supervised a smuggling organization. Specifically, on April 28, 2019, while in Ontario, Canada, Mello-Lima and two other individuals, including co-defendant Renan Portela Bandeira De Souza, launched a boat, containing four alien passengers who were not citizens or nationals of the United States, into the Niagara River. In prior negotiations with two of the aliens, the defendant agreed to charge each alien approximately $6,000 to bring them to the United States. Mello-Lima drove the boat from Canada to the United States landing on Grand Island, NY. The four aliens disembarked, and the defendant returned the boat to a dock in Canada. Mello-Lima planned the April 28, 2019, smuggling and arranged for a U.S.-based individual to pick up the aliens on Grand Island and drive them to their final destinations in the United States. Between March 17 and July 2019, Mello-Lima smuggled or aided and abetted the smuggling of six more aliens into the United States.

Co-defendant Renan Portela Bandeira De Souza also pleaded guilty to bringing aliens to the United States for commercial advantage or private financial gain and was sentenced to serve 21 months in prison by Judge Arcara.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol Buffalo Sector, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent Andrew Scharnweber, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided substantial assistance in the extradition of the defendant from Canada to the United States in March 2020.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash received the Top Prosecutor Award from Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE). AUSA Tokash was nominated by the Buffalo Office of Homeland Security Investigations for her tireless efforts fighting against human trafficking and advocating on behalf of victims. 

AUSA Tokash was a commissioned officer and decorated Veteran in the U.S. Army where she specialized in prosecutions involving victims of sexual crimes before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 2019. AUSA Tokash is head of the Special Victims Unit, which is focused on human trafficking, child exploitation and sexual assaults. She also leads the U.S. Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking Task Force, coordinating efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement and non-governmental organizations in human trafficking investigations. One of those investigations involved defendant Valentino Shine, Sr., who was convicted following a jury trial of five counts of sex trafficking, and one count each of sex trafficking conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, and was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison.

AUSA Tokash is currently completing a 90-day commission on President Biden's Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jonathan Torres, 41, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that between April and November 28, 2018, the defendant conspired with others to sell fentanyl and cocaine in the area of Wilkins Street in Rochester. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Torres supplied fentanyl and cocaine to individuals who would then distribute the drugs to customers in the Wilkins Street area. The defendant also acted as a supervisor by monitoring the quantities of fentanyl and cocaine sold, directing the sales by others, re-supplying street-level workers, and supervising street-level workers who sold the drugs. At least one of the street-level workers was less than 18 years old. Torres used his Raines Park residence to store, package, and manufacture the fentanyl and cocaine for sale. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Lyon; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito; and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 27, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. before Judge Larimer.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Luis Amed Colon Molina, 42, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Watkins, Jr., who is handling the case, stated according to the complaint, on August 14, 2021, the defendant was encountered at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry after making a wrong tum onto the Peace Bridge. Headed towards Canada initially, Colon Molina apparently realized he was heading towards Canada and turned around coming back through United States Customs. During primary inspection, the defendant stated that he was following his GPS and made a wrong turn onto the bridge. He also stated that he and his wife, who was also in the car, live in Rochester, and were attempting to eat Puerto Rican food in Buffalo. When asked by a Customs and Border Protection officer, Colon Molina stated that did not have any narcotics or weapons.

The CBP office then conducted a random trunk examination and discovered several baggies containing a white powder substance inside a gray fanny pack. The defendant and his wife were then referred for a secondary inspection. Once in customs secondary, Colon Molina stated he was in possession of a pocket­knife in the vehicle but again provided a negative declaration for firearms and drugs. During a search of the defendant’s vehicle, the gray fanny pack was removed from the trunk. In addition to the baggies containing a white powder substance, officers also found a digital scale with white powder residue inside the fanny pack. The substance was field tested resulting in a positive presence of cocaine. Officers also recovered a loaded 9mm, Polymer 80 handgun in the vehicle's glove box. The gun did not have a serial number and is considered a “Ghost Gun.” In addition, a review of Colon Molina’s cellular telephone recovered photographs of what appeared to be various other firearms and narcotics.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Scott Russell Merritt, 41, of Celoron, NY, who was convicted of theft from a labor union, was sentenced to serve two years probation and ordered to pay restitution totaling $50,850.21 by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, who handled the case, stated that between May 2011, and August 2018, the defendant was the treasurer of Ironworkers Local 470. As treasurer, Merritt embezzled $50,850.21 in union funds to pay various personal expenses.  

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards, under the direction of the Boston-Buffalo District Director Jonathan Russo.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., announced today that Michael McDonald, a/k/a George Jackson, a/k/a Rabbit, 42, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to three counts of interstate travel for purposes of prostitution. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys John D. Fabian and Aaron J. Mango, who are handling that case, stated that in April 2013, the defendant transported Victim 1 from New York to New Jersey, where the Exxxotica Fan Choice Awards were being held. When McDonald transported Victim 1 to New Jersey, the purpose was for Victim 1 to engage in commercial sex acts in New Jersey. In May 2017, the defendant transported Victim 2 from New York to Florida, where Victim 2 had a court date. When McDonald transported Victim 2 to Florida, the purpose was for Victim 2 to engage in commercial sex acts in Florida. In January 2018, the defendant transported a third victim from New York to Florida, where, among other things, a boat party was planned in Miami. When McDonald transported the victim to Florida, it was for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 14, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Samuel Zito, 31, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Misha A. Coulson, who is handling the case, stated that sometime in August 2020, the defendant and co-conspirators Marquies McTyere and Alexander Schieppati, arranged for a shipment to be delivered to Freightboy Logistics in Niagara Falls, NY, from Canada. Unbeknownst to Zito and his co-conspirators, on August 6, 2020, the shipment, which contained approximately 600 pounds of marijuana packaged in vacuum sealed bags, had been intercepted by United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and was searched. The marijuana had been purchased by Zito and Schieppati from a source of supply in Canada and was intended to be distributed in the Niagara Falls and Buffalo areas. The shipment was tracked by investigators and a controlled delivery was conducted on August 7, 2020. Co-defendant Schieppati picked up the shipment and brought it to a motel in Niagara Falls. Zito, McTyere, and Schieppati were arrested, and investigators recovered $239,850 from a storage facility utilized by McTyere. The money was found in the vicinity of drug packaging materials and was packaged in vacuum sealed bags.

McTyere and Schieppati were previously convicted.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 27, 2021, before Judge Vilardo.   

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CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Victor Yao Apeletey, 40, of Ghana, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to export stolen motor vehicles. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that between January 31 and February 14, 2020, the defendant conspired with others to export stolen motor vehicles by purchasing the vehicles using stolen identities, and then having those vehicles driven to Canada under false pretenses to be ultimately exported to the country of Ghana. During the course of the scheme, Apeletey and others fraudulently obtained biographical information for individuals and then used that information to fraudulently obtain identification documents using the individuals’ names but the photographs of co-conspirators. 

The stolen identities were used to purchase a 2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty for approximately $106,390.37, and a 2019 Mercedes AMG GLE 63 for approximately $116,835.00. On February 13, 2020, the defendant and others exported and attempted to export the vehicles to Canada under false pretenses, so that they could be shipped to Ghana.  

The plea is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 18, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra. 

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CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Matthew Holland, 29, of Newark, NY, who was convicted of production of child pornography and possession of child pornography involving prepubescent minors, was sentenced to serve 50 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi, who handled the case, stated that between 2016 and 2020, the defendant, who was formerly employed as a Teaching Assistant in the Newark, NY, Central School District, and a teacher/assistant at the Canandaigua, NY, YMCA, engaged in a series of child exploitation and child pornography crimes, including coercing minors both known and unknown to him to produce child pornography via social media; surreptitiously recording minors in states of undress in their homes, surreptitiously recording minors in states of undress at a YMCA where he was employed, surreptitiously recording minors and others in states of undress at his Newark photography studio “Illumination Images,” and downloading and possessing hundreds of images and videos of pre-existing child pornography via the internet. 

The defendant posed as a 14-16 year-old male and used the Snapchat account “Tjohnson755” and the Instagram account “TimJ755,” to engage minors in sexually explicit conversations. Holland would begin in neutral conversation, then would send pictures of an attractive teenaged boy, before transitioning the conversation to sexual topics and demanding that the minors produce and send to him nude or semi-nude photographs – to include the minors’ faces. The defendant often played upon his victims’ insecurities, paying them compliments and promising that he would delete their photos and would not share them. In some cases, once he obtained nude or semi-nude photographs, Holland would ask for more sexually explicit photographs involving sex acts. If a minor declined, the defendant threatened to share their previous images over the Internet. Since the defendant knew many of the minors through his employment with the Newark Central School District, he sometimes made specific threats involving the minors actual addresses, relatives, and schools, causing the minors, most of whom were 13 to 16 years old, to suffer extreme anxiety and fear. 

The defendant’s conduct was first discovered when a minor victim in Virginia reported to police that Holland had coerced her into sending him sexually explicit photographs and videos. An investigation by the Loudoun County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office led to the discovery of dozens of victims in the Western District of New York, and coordination with the Newark Police Department, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the Canandaigua Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security. 

In addition to coercing minors to produce child pornography via social media and the internet, Holland also engaged in the following conduct:  •    Between October 2019, and February 14, 2020, while employed as a teacher/assistant at the before and after school childcare program at the Canandaigua YMCA, the defendant was responsible for supervising children 3 to 12 years old. On at least one occasion, Holland entered the family locker room and photographed approximately 5 female children in his care as they were changing out of their swimsuits after swimming in the YMCA pool.  
•    Between February 18, 2019, and February 20, 2020, Holland surreptitiously recorded a 10-11 year-old girl in various stages of undress in the bathroom of her home in Newark. 
•    On April 17, 2016, the defendant surreptitiously recorded a 10 year-old female in various stages of undress in the bathroom of her home in Marion, NY.  
•    Prior to his arrest in May 2020, Holland was also the owner and operator of Illumination Images located in Newark. Using this business, the defendant surreptitiously recorded minors in various states of undress by placing a hidden recording device inside of the studio changing room.

The defendant also possessed hundreds of images and videos of child pornography that he obtained via the Internet, including images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of prepubescent minors, to include toddlers, and children being subjected to violence.  

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Loudoun County, VA, Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael L. Chapman; the Newark, NY Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Thoms; the Wayne County Sheriff’s  Office, under the direction of Sheriff Berry Virts; the Canandaigua, NY Police Department, under the direction of Chief Stephen Hedworth; and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

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CONTACT:    Barbara Burns
PHONE:    (716) 843-5817
FAX #:    (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Melanie Thompson, 47, of Cattaraugus, NY, who was convicted of distribution of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey T. Fiut, who handled the case, stated that between January 9, 2017, and March 6, 2020, the defendant took sexually explicit photographs of Minor Victim 1in furtherance of her plan to impersonate Victim 1. Thereafter, Thompson, while impersonating Victim 1, engaged in conversations of a sexual nature with two minor male victims (Victims 2 and 3) and one adult. During those conversations, the defendant solicited a sexually explicit picture from Victim 2; sent, via social media, the sexually explicit photograph she had taken of Victim 1 to Victim 3, receiving two sexually explicit images in return from Victim 3; and while impersonating Victim 1 and engaging in sexual conversations with an adult male over social media, sent such male the sexually explicit photographs she had taken of Victim 1.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Timothy S. Whitcomb.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that James Terrell, 36, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that in the summer of 2019, investigators learned that the defendant was involved in bulk currency money drops. On August 20, 2019, Terrell was observed exchanging a bag. Subsequently, a traffic stop was conducted on the defendant’s vehicle, which he was operating. Investigators seized $80,110 and two cellular telephones from inside the center console of the vehicle. On April 9, 2020, Terrell was observed leaving an Earl Place residence with a package, which contained a kilogram of cocaine. 

The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Malik Matthews, 22, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine, was sentenced to serve 41 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan E. Leydecker and Paul C. Parisi, who handled the case, stated that between June 2018 and October 2019, the defendant sold cocaine to an individual over 50 times. In addition, Matthews sold crack cocaine to an undercover police officer. On June 4, 2019, Buffalo Police Officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Grey Street residence. During the search they seized three loaded firearms, ammunition, two bags of suspected crack cocaine, five digital scales, a bottle of a cutting agent, and a box of sandwich bags.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, NY--Christopher A. Parris, 41, formerly of Rochester, NY, and currently of Lawrenceville, Georgia, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit mail fraud related to a Ponzi scheme, as well as to wire fraud involving the fraudulent sale of purported N95 masks during the pandemic.

“The fraud schemes at issue here, including the purported sales of personal protective equipment that the defendant could not actually provide, are particularly egregious,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting anyone who would try to profit through this kind of conduct.”

“Defendant Parris, together with his co-defendant Perry Santillo, bilked millions of dollars from unsuspecting investors in their Ponzi scheme,” said U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. for the Western District of New York. “Their web of deceit spread far and wide as they purchased established investment advisor or broker businesses from across the country in order to gain access to new victims. This office remains committed to working with all of our partners to identify and bring to justice those who seek to enrich themselves by defrauding others.”

“Preying on companies and the Department of Veterans Affairs as they sought to protect their employees and patients from this pandemic is beyond the pale,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips for the District of Columbia. “The department and our law enforcement partners will catch and stop those who take advantage of public health emergencies to perpetrate such frauds.”

“Financial frauds are grounded in greed, so it's no surprise that when multiple people are behind a single scheme the greed runs deeper and the damage hits harder,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia of the Buffalo Office of the FBI. “The only guarantee in a Ponzi scheme is that it will fall short, and the founders who contrived them will too.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service aggressively conducts investigations of those who fraudulently use the U.S. Mail to facilitate complex fraud schemes,” said Joshua W. McCallister, Acting Inspector-in-Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.  “Today’s plea demonstrates our ongoing work with law enforcement partners to stop those who are engaged in these types of fraudulent activities.”

“The urgent need to protect veterans and VA health care workers during this fast-moving pandemic required the Department of Veterans Affairs to rapidly purchase personal protective equipment” said Inspector General Michael J. Missal of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “Working with our law enforcement partners, the VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) stopped a criminal who was attempting to profit from this horrible crisis and prevented the government and taxpayers from being defrauded of hundreds of millions of dollars. The VA OIG will continue to work zealously to ensure schemes like this are uncovered, investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Since the onset of the pandemic, HSI quickly adapted to investigate the increasing and evolving threat posed by COVID-19-related fraud and criminal activity,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jack P. Staton of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New Orleans Field Office. “This guilty plea is a testament to the commitment we have, along with our law enforcement partners, to protecting the American public in times of crisis.”

The Ponzi Scheme

Between January 2011 and June 2018, Parris conspired with co-defendant Perry Santillo and others to obtain money through an investment fraud, commonly known as a Ponzi scheme. Specifically, in 2007, Parris and Santillo, as equal partners, formed a business known as Lucian Development in Rochester. Prior to approximately July 2007, Lucian Development raised millions of dollars from investors in Rochester, and elsewhere, by soliciting investments for City Capital Corporation, a business operated by Ephren Taylor. In July 2007, Parris and Santillo were advised by Ephren Taylor that their investors’ money had been lost. In response, in August 2007, Parris and Santillo agreed to acquire the assets and debts of City Capital Corporation. The acquisition proved financially ruinous, with the amount of the acquired debt far exceeding the value of the acquired assets. Taylor was later prosecuted and convicted of operating a Ponzi scheme.

Subsequently, Parris and Santillo chose not to disclose the truth to investors that their money, entrusted to Lucian Development for investment in City Capital Corporation, was gone. Instead, Parris and Santillo continued to solicit ever-increasing amounts of money from new investors in an unsuccessful attempt to recoup the losses. In order to find potential investors to solicit and defraud, Parris and Santillo purchased businesses from established investment advisors or brokers who were looking to exit their businesses. Between approximately 2008 and September 2017, Parris and Santillo, using money obtained from prior investors, purchased the businesses of at least 15 investment advisors or brokers, located in Tennessee, Ohio, Minnesota, Nevada, California (five businesses), Florida, South Carolina (two businesses), Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Indiana.

The investment offerings pitched by Parris and Santillo consisted principally of unsecured promissory notes and preferred stock issued by various entities controlled by Parris and Santillo. Potential investors were offered an apparent array of investment options to create the illusion of a diversified investment portfolio. Those investment options included products issued by purported issuers such as First Nationle Solutions (FNS), Percipience Global Corporation, United RL Capital Services, Boyles America, Middlebury Development Corporation and NexMedical Solutions, among others. None of these issuers had substantial bona fide business operations or used investor money in the manner and for the purposes represented to investors. To the extent that an issuer may have had some minor legitimate business activities, it was not profitable, and insufficient revenues were generated to pay investors any returns (let alone return the principal amounts of their investments).

Over the years, to keep the Ponzi scheme from being detected, a substantial portion of incoming new investor monies were depleted by making promised interest and other payments to earlier investors. Most of the rest of incoming investor money was used by Parris, Santillo and other co-conspirators to finance lavish lifestyles of the conspirators, their families and associates; to expand the scheme by purchasing investment advisor/brokerage businesses to obtain access to fresh investors; and to pay operating expenses – salaries for a sales force and administrative staff, office rents and related expenses, housing for employees, and interest on loans – all of which were used to keep the scheme going and maintain a façade of legitimate business operations.

Very little investor money was deployed in productive investments, and when so deployed, the investments yielded meager income and were not profitable, or failed altogether. The Ponzi scheme was headquartered and based out of locations in Rochester, with a number of satellite offices around the country. Administrative and banking functions were largely performed out of Rochester. The conspiracy employed a variety of salespeople, including Parris and Santillo, who traveled around the country to meet with and solicit new investors.

Between January 2012 and June 19, 2018, Parris and Santillo obtained at least $115.5 million from approximately 1,000 investors. By the time the scheme collapsed in late-2017/early 2018, Parris and Santillo, doing business through an array of corporate entities, had returned approximately $44.8 million to investors as part of their scheme, but continued to owe investors approximately $70.7 million in principal.

Among the Rochester area victims of the Ponzi scheme were the following: • A resident of Webster, New York, who held a total asset value of $94,341.89 with a fictitious company known as First Nationle Solutions (FNS), which, as of Dec. 31, 2017, was in fact worthless or close to worthless; and
• A resident of Victor, New York, and his wife, who invested approximately $221,758.67 with FNS and Middlebury Development. The couple received three payments of $2,500 but lost approximately $214,258.67.

Parris and Santillo controlled hundreds of different business bank accounts opened under numerous different business names at various financial institutions, including but not limited to Bank of America, Citizens Bank, Genesee Regional Bank and ESL Federal Credit Union. Santillo and Parris directed and authorized the transactions that occurred in the accounts, including deposits, withdrawals, check writing and funds transfers. The various bank accounts were used to transfer money from one account to another. Incoming investor money was routinely transferred through several accounts before the funds were finally spent on whatever purpose Parris and/or Santillo authorized. By moving investors’ funds through various accounts in various entity names, Parris and Santillo were able to conceal and obscure the fact that new investor money was being used to repay earlier investors, finance the operations of the Ponzi scheme, and fund their lifestyles.

Santillo was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

The COVID-19 Fraud Scheme

Parris also pleaded guilty in a case originally charged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to defrauding the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA), as well as at least eight other victim companies, in a scheme involving personal protection equipment (PPE). Between February and April 10, 2020, the defendant, as the owner and operator of Encore Health Group, a company based in Atlanta, that purported to broker medical equipment, offered to sell scarce PPE, including 3M-brand N95 respirator masks, to various medical supply companies and governmental entities. In these proposals, Parris knowingly misrepresented his access to, and ability to obtain and deliver on time, vast quantities of 3M N95 masks and other PPE. The defendant falsely represented that he was able to obtain 3M N95 masks directly from authorized sources in the United States, when in fact, he had no ready access to 3M factories or 3M N95 masks or other PPE, no proven source of supply, and no track record of procuring and delivering such items.

For example, in March 2021, Parris offered to sell the VA 125 million 3M N95 masks at a cost of $6.45 per mask. In this process, the defendant attempted to obtain an upfront payment of $3.075 million from the VA, even though he knew at the time that he had no access to the promised masks or present ability to deliver the promised masks.

As part of his guilty plea, Parris admitted that, in addition to attempting to defraud the VA, he actually obtained upfront payments totaling approximately $7.4 million from at least eight clients for 3M N95 masks that he knew he had no access to or present ability to obtain or deliver on time. Parris also admitted that the proceeds of the scheme totaled approximately $6,218,525. In total, Parris sought orders in excess of $65 million for the non-existent PPE equipment.

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Parris is scheduled to be sentenced on December 8, 2021, before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for conspiracy regarding the Ponzi scheme, 30 years in prison for wire fraud in connection to a presidentially declared emergency, and 10 years in prison for committing the offense originally charged in the District of Columbia while on release from the Western District of New York.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Joshua W. McCallister of the Boston Division; the FBI, Buffalo Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the IRS, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Thomas Fattorusso, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge; the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations – Labor Racketeering and Fraud, under the direction of Nikitas Splagounias, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Region, the New York State Department of Financial Services, under the direction of Superintendent Linda A. Lacewell; the Securities and Exchange Commission; the VA OIG, under the direction of Michael J. Missal, Inspector General, and HSI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Jack P. Staton of the New Orleans Field Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field is handling the prosecution in the Western District of New York, and Trial Attorney Patrick Runkle of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Lallas are handling the prosecution in the District of Columbia.

On May 17, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

Anyone with information about allegations of fraud related to COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Evan Motherwell, 25, of Penfield, PA, formerly of Jamestown NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minim penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $10,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Misha A. Coulson, who are handling the case, stated that between September 2018, and January 26, 2019, the defendant conspired with Douglas Beardsley and others, to sell methamphetamine and heroin/fentanyl for profit. Motherwell would go to Beardsely’s residence to pick up bundles of heroin and “blacks” (approximately 3.5 grams) of methamphetamine. Beardsley fronted the narcotics to the defendant and when Motherwell failed to pay, Beardsley would get mad and try to fight him. During the conspiracy and afterwards, the defendant utilized Facebook to conduct drug trafficking activities, including communication with co-defendants.

Co-defendants Tracey Wynn, Richard Dean, Daniel Harding, and Justin Cusimano were previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against co-defendants Douglas Beardsley and Angelo Pollino. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 12, 2021, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Hormoz Mansouri, 67, of Amherst, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and money laundering. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000.

“This defendant is now part of a growing list of individuals that this Office has charged who sought to steal for themselves money which was intended to assist businesses and employees crippled by the pandemic,” noted U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “The greed exhibited by such individuals in the face of a national crisis is criminal. This Office will remain vigilant in our effort to ensure that taxpayers dollars are spent appropriately, and we will vigorously investigate and charge anyone, like defendant, who fraudulently seeks to obtain or spend emergency federal aid.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Mansouri filed fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loan applications with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and local financial institutions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act). Specifically, Mansouri, who controlled eight different business entities, including HLM Holding LLC, El Team Inc., NPTS Inc., 2060 Sheridan Drive LLC, 212 Holden Avenue LLC, 350 Old Niagara Falls Boulevard LLC, 47 East Amherst LLC, and 3600 Harlem Road LLC, applied for 16 different (two per entity) PPP loans and eight different EIDL loans.

As alleged in the complaint, the amount of PPP loans a given entity is entitled to is determined in part by such entity’s average monthly payroll expenses. For each of the 16 PPP loans that the Mansouri-controlled entities obtained, the average monthly payroll was either inflated or completely fabricated. In fact, contrary to the applications submitted, six of the eight entities had no actual employees or payroll expenses at all. Similarly, the Mansouri-controlled entities also made false representations and provided fraudulent documentation in support of EIDL applications. Between March 2020, and May 2021, Mansouri received 16 PPP loans totaling $3,074,000 and seven EIDL loans totaling $450,600. Had Mansouri provided accurate information in support of the applications, his entities would have qualified for significantly smaller loan amounts or no loans at all. 

Having fraudulently received over $3,500,000 in PPP and EIDL funds, the defendant is alleged to have engaged in a series of convoluted transactions—during which he moved the loan proceeds between the various business accounts; commingled the proceeds with legitimate business revenues; and transferred the proceeds into different business accounts, personal accounts, a campaign account (in the name of “Mansouri for County Comptroller”), as well as a casino— in order to conceal, disguise, and obscure the source, nature, ownership, control, and location of the funds derived from the fraudulent scheme.

On May 28, 2021, seizure warrants were executed on accounts controlled by the defendant and resulted in the seizure of approximately $1,923,603. 

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas Fattorusso.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Brandon Kidder, 37, of Alden, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that on May 24, 2019, the defendant possessed images and videos of child pornography, which were stored on his cellular telephone and other electronic storage media. Kidder obtained the images and videos by downloading them from the internet – specifically the dark web. For example, the defendant visited and downloaded images from a dark website featuring “Hurtcore” materials. The term “Hurtcore” means any image or depiction of violent child pornography.

On January 28, 2020, the FBI executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and seized a number of devices and electronic storage media. A forensic review revealed more than 600 images and videos of child pornography, including images that portrayed prepubescent minors, or minors under the age of 12, as well as depictions of violence.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2021, before Judge Vilardo.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Mackenzie Drechsler, 20, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of rioting for her role in violent protests held in the City of Rochester in May 2020, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer to serve one year and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, and restitution totaling $8,674, $3,775 to the City of Rochester, and $4,899 to the N.Y. State Attorney General’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie M. Kocher, who handled the case, stated that on May 30, 2020, Rochester Police Department (RPD) officers were assigned to assist with crowd control during protests scheduled at the Public Safety Building (PSB) on Exchange Boulevard. During the late-afternoon/early evening, those protests, being held in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, turned violent and resulted in vandalism, damaged property, looting, and fires.

At approximately 6:00 p.m. on May 30th in downtown Rochester, Dreschler assisted others in attempting to light fabric on fire. The fabric was stuffed into the gas tank of a parked car belonging to the City of Rochester Family Crisis Intervention Team (FACIT). At approximately 6:20 p.m., the FACIT car began to smoke and shortly thereafter became engulfed in flames. The car was a total loss. Dreschler also set fire to an official vehicle owned by the New York State Attorney General’s Office, after crouching down, placing cardboard inside the vehicle and then walking away. Approximately one minute later, smoke began billowing from the car, and as the fire grew, the car became engulfed in flames. The car was a total loss. Following her actions in the burning of the two cars, Drechsler also participated in breaking glass during looting that took place.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan; the Gates Police Department, under the direction of Chief James VanBrederode; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley; the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, under the direction of Lieutenant Robert Hill; and the Rochester Fire Department, under the direction of Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez, Jr.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Hector Savage, 37, of Greece, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to possession of child pornography by an individual with a prior conviction. The charge carries a mandatory minim penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that on July 31, 2003, the defendant was convicted in Monroe County Court of Sexual Abuse 1st: Sexual Contact with Individual Less than 11 Years Old. On May 25, 2019, Savage possessed approximately 20 images of child pornography on an Apple iPhone. Some of the images depicted prepubescent minors or minors under 12 years old.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jeffrey Martin, 37, of Elmira, NY, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, following a prior conviction, was sentenced to serve 240 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that between May 31 and July 19, 2019, Minor Victim 1 slept over at the defendant’s residence on several occasions with the permission of Minor Victim 1’s mother. On at least one of those occasions, Martin took several sexually explicit pictures of Minor Victim 1 with his cellular telephone, knowing that such photographs would be automatically uploaded to his Google online storage account.   

The defendant was previously convicted of felony statutory rape in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, on July 19, 2004. 

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Edgar Pavia, 44, of El Paso, Texas, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and conspiring to commit money laundering. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $20,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that between October 2017, and December 7, 2018, the defendant conspired with Eduardo Enrique Valdez, Adrian Goudelock, Eric Young, Lance Parker, Jai Hunter, Daniel Sterling, Martin Lopez, Ivan Rene Rios Bustillos, Adrian Grier, Shamar Davis, and Gabrielle McGrady, to sell cocaine and hide the proceeds of their illegal drug trafficking.

On October 2, 2017, Pavia and co-defendant Eduardo Enrique Valdez traveled from El Paso to Cleveland, OH. The defendant admits that while in Cleveland, two co-defendants traveled from Buffalo to Cleveland to pick up 10 kilograms of cocaine to take back to Buffalo. The cocaine was secreted in the spare tire of their vehicle.

Investigators determined that during the course of the cocaine conspiracy, Pavia and his co-defendants frequently rotated their phones, which were almost exclusively utilized in furtherance of the drug conspiracy. The defendant’s phones had frequent contact with both a Mexican source of supply, co-defendant Adrian Goudelock, co-defendant Adrian Grier, and co-defendant Daniel Sterling. Numerous court-authorized wire and electronic communications were intercepted during the investigation. Those interceptions revealed that Pavia was brokering bulk quantity cocaine to multiple areas in the country including Buffalo, as well as locations in Kentucky and Georgia. On July 25, 2018, investigators seized 17 kilograms of cocaine from the vehicle of co-defendant Lance Parker. Shortly after the seizure, Pavia was intercepted discussing the seizure with Adrian Goudelock, who suggested to Pavia that they “chill for a few weeks” but then “keep goin.” They also discussed their new phones before ceasing use of their then-current phones.

Co-defendants Lance Parker, Eduardo Enrique Valdez, Ivan Rene Rios Bustillos, Daniel Sterling, and Adrian Grier were previously convicted. Charges remain pending against co-defendants Adrian Goudelock, Eric Young, Jai Hunter, Martin Lopez, Shamar Davis, and Gabrielle McGrady. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) - Buffalo, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall; the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Unit, under the direction of Brian Manaher, Director, Marine Operations. Additional assistance was provided by the New York National Guard; HSI-Louisville; the Kentucky State Police; the Louisville Metro Police; and the Greater Hardin County Drug Task Force.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 2, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Philip M. Close, 43, of Rochester, NY, who pleaded guilty to a 74-count indictment, including 61 counts of production of child pornography and 13 counts of possession of material containing child pornography involving prepubescent minors, was sentenced to serve 50 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles A. Siragusa.

“As a result of this sentence, this defendant will likely spend most or all of the rest of his life behind bars,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “Let this case serve as an example to any individual in a position of trust with children—if you seek to exploit children to satisfy your own perverse interests, be prepared to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and potentially to lose your freedom forever.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who handled the case, stated that from 2016 to 2019, the defendant owned the Close School of Music on West Ridge Road in the Town of Parma and provided private music lessons to children of all ages. During that time, Close hid spy cameras throughout the school and secretly recorded the students, parents, and other teachers. Some of those cameras captured videos of the defendant inappropriately touching his students and himself during lessons. Close also placed two spy cameras in the school’s only bathroom: one under the toilet and one hidden in a watercooler facing the toilet. The defendant intentionally positioned these cameras to record the naked genitals of young girls when they stood up from the toilet. Prior to opening the Close School of Music in 2016, the defendant worked at a different music school. Between 2012 and 2016, he also placed a spy camera in the bathroom of that school and intentionally recorded the naked genitals of young girls when they went to the bathroom.

Between 2012 and 2019, Close produced hundreds of videos of child pornography involving 61 identified minor victims. The youngest victim was four years old. While executing search warrants at the Close School of Music, investigators also discovered 13 devices that contained other images and videos of child pornography.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Paul E. Lubienecki, 63, of Hamburg, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to stalking. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant harassed and intimidated Victim 1, a local television reporter, causing the victim to be in reasonable fear of death and serious bodily injury, and causing substantial emotional distress. Specifically, on six separate occasions between August 20, 2019, and February 4, 2020, Lubienecki left harassing and threatening voicemails for Victim 1 relating to the victim’s reporting on the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, which appeared on Channel 7 WKBW. The defendant left these voicemails with the intent to harass and intimidate Victim 1. Lubienecki used a TracFone cellular telephone with a phone number that appeared as “unknown” when he left these voicemails.

“While the First Amendment guarantees freedoms regarding both religion and expression,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy, “it does not protect a pattern of conduct—such as that admitted to by this defendant—which causes substantial emotional distress or creates a reasonable fear of the death or serious bodily injury to another.” 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the East Aurora Police Department, under the direction of Chief Shane Krieger.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 9, 2021, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., announced today the cumulative results of the Federal Violence Prevention and Elimination Response (VIPER) Task Force, a 60-day surge aimed at removing violent gun offenders from the streets of Rochester and Buffalo to enhance public safety and reduce violent crime.  For the slightly over three-week period between July 7 and July 30, 2021, the following results were achieved in Rochester, Buffalo, and Niagara Falls through VIPER:

• District Wide o Firearm Related Arrests – 125 o Narcotics Related Arrests - 217 o Violent Felony Arrests - 142 o Firearms Seized - 68
• Rochester o Firearm Related Arrests - 69 o Narcotics Related Arrests - 41 o Violent Felony Arrests - 86 o Firearms Seized - 51
• Buffalo/Niagara Falls o Firearm Related Arrests - 56 o Narcotics Related Arrests - 176 o Violent Felony Arrests - 56 o Firearms Seized - 17

To date, 18 defendants have been adopted for federal prosecution, and 52 other defendant’s arrests are currently being reviewed to determine whether federal prosecution is appropriate.

“These latest numbers suggest that the all hands-on-deck, collaborative approach promoted by the VIPER Task Force is yielding positive results,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “Violent offenders, drug traffickers, and those with illegal guns are—or, at least, should be—starting to realize that they are the focus not only of the attention of every law enforcer in our community—but the attention of a growing number of community members themselves. Hopefully, that realization will cause those considering whether illegally to possess or use a gun to think twice and help them to recognize that they will only find lasting respect and protection once they choose to put the gun down.”

The VIPER Task Force involves enhanced information sharing, enhanced proactive investigations and prosecutions, and the improvement relations between the community and law enforcement. 

Members of the VIPER Task Force include the United States Attorney’s Office, under the direction U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the United States Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; Immigration and Customs Enforcement,  Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the direction of Acting Field Office Director Robert F. Judge; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division. VIPER Task Force members in Rochester also include: the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan. VIPER Task Force members in Buffalo also include: the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Chief Byron Lockwood.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Kenneth Ritchie, 30, of Cheektowaga, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with production and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 50 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on July 16, 2021, an individual contacted the Cheektowaga Police Department and reported observing child pornography on a cell phone belonging to the defendant. The individual stated that he met Ritchie on the Grinder chat application and then met him in person at the defendant’s residence in Cheektowaga. While at the residence, the individual stated that Ritchie showed him images and videos containing what he believed to be child pornography. The individual told the defendant that he was disgusted by what he observed and told him he was reporting him to the police.

The individual took Ritchie’s cell phone, went to Cheektowaga Police Headquarters, and showed investigators two of the photos that the defendant had shown him. One of the photos was a sexually explicit photo of a boy under five years old (Victim). The second photo was a sexually explicit photo of Ritchie holding the same little boy. During the execution of a search warrant on the defendant’s cell phone, investigators recovered additional sexually explicit images of the Victim. The search also recovered additional videos and images containing child pornography on the cell phone, several of which appeared to be obtained through the Telegram application.

The defendant appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy for a detention hearing today and was ordered held. 

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Assistant Chief Brian Gould, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Richard W. Scherer, 70, of Depew, NY, was arrested and charged by complaint with enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that according to the criminal complaint, on June 28, 2021, the FBI received information regarding the defendant from a citizens group known as Predator Poacher, which maintains a website and YouTube channel. The group maintains several online accounts that purport to be minors of various ages, using the accounts to chat with adults who later meet for sexual contact. These contacts are recorded, the individuals interviewed, and the videos then posted to the group’s platforms. A member of the group made contact with Scherer on the Instagram account richard_scherer. The defendant believed the member was a 13-year-old girl. The communications between the two were sexual in nature and culminated with a planned meeting at a retail store on Amherst Street in Buffalo. When Scherer arrived, the group confronted him outside the store and interviewed him for about 58 minutes, during which he allegedly admitted that he is a pedophile. The Buffalo Police were called following the interview.

Subsequently, investigators accessed Scherer’s communications with the purported 13-year-old girl, which occurred between April and June 2021. During those communications, which became graphic and sexual in nature, the defendant mentioned he was a teacher, who taught sexual education in the past. On June 27, 2021, Scherer arranged to meet the purported 13-year-old girl the following day, and when he showed up for that meeting, the defendant was confronted by members of Predator Poacher. The final text from Scherer was “I’m here.” According to the complaint, the defendant also communicated with a purported eight-year-old girl through Predator Poacher, during which the communications also became graphic and sexual in nature.

Scherer was a teacher for approximately 25 years in the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools. A report obtained from the school system during the investigation stated, “On June 13, 2011, the parent of a 4th grade student, [redacted by MCPS], came to the school and made a report to an assistant principal about some concerns she had regarding possible inappropriate behavior by Mr. Scherer while interacting with students.” The report stated that the student related that when the defendant has lunch with a particular student, “he pulls her to him and hugs her, that he has patted her rear end and hips, and that he pressures her to each lunch with him.” The parent advised that her daughter and the daughter’s friend are often pressured to each lunch with Scherer. In September 2011, the Superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools sent a letter to the State of Maryland Superintendent of Schools. The letter stated, “this is to notify you that Mr. Richard W. Scherer, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher for Montgomery County Public Schools, resigned after notice of allegations of misconduct involving a student. I recommend that Mr. Scherer’s certificate be revoked.” The defendant’s teaching certificate was subsequently revoked.

A search of the defendant’s cell phone recovered two images of child pornography.

Members of the public who have information related to this case are asked to call the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 716-843-1680.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Stephen Belongia, Special Agent-in-Charge.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Juan Quinones-Rivera, 39, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production of child pornography. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that on April 21, 2021, New York State Parole contacted the FBI after a parole officer, while conducting a search of defendant’s room, discovered that he had a cell phone, which was a violation of his parole. During a cursory search of the device, the parole officer located Snapchat chats and text messages between Quinones-Rivera and a female (Victim). A subsequent search of the phone recovered numerous images and videos of suspected child pornography. In addition, investigators recovered sexually explicit text conversations between the defendant and Victim, during which Quinones-Rivera requested and received approximately 50 videos and photos from the Victim. In May 2021, the FBI contacted the Greene County, Virginia Sheriff's Office for assistance in identifying the Victim. After doing so, investigators searched the Victim’s cell phone and located an image that was also found on the defendant’s phone. 

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci; the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Stauffiger; and the Greene County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Steven Smith.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that LSA Strategies LLC, a media production and political consulting firm located in Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to wire fraud and faces a penalty up to $500,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that Steven M. Casey organized LSA Strategies under the laws of New York State on June 6, 2012. Between August 20 and September 19, 2012, LSA Strategies devised a scheme to defraud a candidate (Candidate 1) running for the New York State Senate 60th District.

Steven Casey provided consulting services to Candidate 1, including arranging for campaign mailings to be printed by Company 1. In doing so, Casey requested that Company 1 increase each of its invoices to Candidate 1 by a specified amount. However, Casey did not inform Candidate 1 of the increase in the amount of the invoices, rather Casey led the candidate to believe that he was working on a voluntary basis. Candidate 1 was unaware that Company 1’s invoices were being increased to provide sums of money to Casey and LSA. After Candidate 1 paid the invoices, Company 1 paid LSA the amount by which the invoices had been increased. In total, Company 1 paid LSA $8,283.59.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Antwan Hugley, a/k/a Twan; a/k/a Anthony Carter; a/k/a Juan Luis Rodriguez-Martinez; 42, of Atlanta, GA, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking activities, was sentenced to serve 130 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that between 2010 and June 29, 2016, the defendant conspired with others to sell cocaine. Hugley obtained kilogram bricks of cocaine from Georgia and Texas for distribution in the Buffalo area and elsewhere. At various times in 2013 and 2014, the FBI seized cocaine from multiple individuals who purchased their cocaine from the defendant. Also in 2014, the defendant possessed a firearm while in a vehicle with his wife. It was Hugley’s firearm, and he possessed this firearm at other times during drug transactions.

In 2015 a Greyhound bus entered Canada via the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. Law enforcement officers searched a bag, which had originated in Atlanta, GA, found it to contain five kilograms of cocaine. The bag was intended for delivery in Buffalo and belonged to Hugley. A Greyhound employee in Buffalo reported that an unknown man came to pick up the luggage in Buffalo, but abruptly walked away when told “I hope your luggage wasn't the one with a lot of drugs.”

In 2016, Hugley was arrested in Orlando, Florida and found to have in his possession a driver's license with his picture in the name Juan Luis Rodriguez-Martinez. He also had a piece of paper with the social security number for Martinez and several credit/debit cards in that name. The defendant had a bank account in that name which revealed nearly $90,000 in and out of the account in about 15 months. The expenses were primarily related to hotels, planes, and rental cars in Houston, Atlanta, and Rochester, NY, which were locations associated with the Hugley’s drug-trafficking activity.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Stephen Belongia, Special Agent-in-Charge, and the Houston Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Troy Finner.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ahmad Sami, 46, Ceasar Sami, 21, and Rania Alkanj, 33, all of Corona, California, pleaded guilty to failing to assist customs officers. The charges carry a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of $100,000.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey T. Fiut, who is handling the cases, stated that in 2018, the defendants drove or attempted to drive multiple luxury vehicles into the United States without declaring to customs officers that the vehicles were intended to be sold within the United States.

On June 3, 2018, Ahmad Sami and Ceasar Sami drove a Range Rover into the United States through the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. On June 27, 2018, at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry, Ahmad Sami entered the United States in a black GMC Sierra, and Alkanj entered in a Ford F-150. On two other occasions in June 2018, Ahmad Sami and Alkanj traveled across the Rainbow Bridge together in a Jeep Wrangler and a white GMC Sierra. In July 2018, the defendants attempted to transport three additional vehicles into the United States, but each vehicle was denied entry. On July 16, 2018, at the Blue Water Bridge Port of Entry in Port Huron, Michigan, Ahmad Sami attempted to cross the border in a Toyota Camry and Alkanj attempted to cross in a Toyota RAV4, but customs officers turned away each of these vehicles. Less than a week later, Ceasar Sami tried to drive a Chevy Colorado into the United States at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry, but this vehicle was also denied entry.

The defendants failed to declare to customs officers that the vehicles were intended to be sold within the United States, resulting in each defendant owing duty and related fees to the United States Government. Ahmad Sami owed $20,681.09; Alkanj owed $15,735.99; and Ceasar Sami owed $965.71. 

The pleas are the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.

Ahmad Sami and Ceasar Sami are scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy on August 19, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. and September 24, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., respectively. Alkanj is scheduled to be sentenced before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. on August 24, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Joshua Sattora, 37, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to receipt of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire, who is handling the case, stated that between December 26, 2017, and August 13, 2018, the defendant and co-defendant Rebecca Woodin engaged in a series of text messages during which Woodin sent approximately 14 sexually explicit images of a minor to Sattora. During this same time, the defendant sent images of child pornography to Woodin. In total, Sattora possessed at least 923 images and 362 videos of child pornography on two cellular telephones and three computers.
Rebecca Woodin was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

The plea is a result of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase; and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 3, 2021, before Judge Wolford.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jakeel Irvin, 27, Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiring to distribute, and distributing, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 71 months in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who handled the case, stated that the defendant conspired with others to sell fentanyl in the area of Wilkins Street in Rochester between April and November 28, 2018. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Irvin utilized 133 Thomas Street to store, manufacture, and distribute controlled substances. On November 28, 2018, investigators executed a search warrant at the Thomas Street residence and recovered 81 baggies containing cocaine, 203 baggies containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, assorted drug paraphernalia, and packaging materials. A second search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence on Bernard Street in Rochester and approximately $1,598 in the proceeds of illegal drug distribution were recovered. Irvin acted as a supervisor in the conspiracy, directing at least one other individual who worked at the Thomas Street drug house and who worked on Wilkins Street in the City of Rochester.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division; and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Xiao Liu, 27, a resident of Canada, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possessing with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5,000,000 fine.      

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Antoine, who is handling the case, stated that on January 10, 2021, a Customs and Border Protection Officer encountered the defendant in the commercial truck processing lane at the Peace Bridge Port of Entry. Liu was driving a commercial truck bearing Ontario license plates and stated that he was hauling a shipment of wax. The officer asked the defendant to open the sleeper cab curtain, which he did, but only partially. Unable to see inside, the officer again asked Liu to open the curtain and back up a few feet so he could see into the sleeper cab. Liu complied and the officer observed black bags filling the sleeper cab from the floor to the ceiling. When questioned, the defendant stated that the bags belonged to a friend and he was taking them to Buffalo. Liu was referred to X-ray inspection for further processing.

A scan of the tractor trailer revealed a large anomaly in the bunk area of the tractor. An officer then physically inspected the tractor cab. Upon entering the cab, the officer immediately detected a smell consistent with marijuana, and observed hockey bags stacked from the floor to the ceiling in the bunk area of the tractor cab. The officer opened one bag and noticed multiple vacuum sealed bags of a green leafy substance, suspected to be marijuana. Liu was taken into custody at that time. CBO officers then offloaded a total of 30 hockey bags which included 1,139 vacuum sealed bags of suspected marijuana.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy and Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 3, 2021, before Judge Vilardo.

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CONTACT:  Barbara Burns

PHONE:         (716) 843-5817

FAX #:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Titus Thompson, Jr., 38, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted following a federal jury trial of conspiracy to traffic firearms from Ohio to Buffalo, unlawful dealing in firearms, being a felon in possession of firearms, and maintaining a drug involved premises, was sentenced to serve 262 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.

“During my tenure as U.S. Attorney, this Office, together with our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement, has worked tirelessly to keep our community safe by consistently and aggressively targeting not only those who use guns to commit crimes but also those who flood our streets with these illegal guns,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “Not only did this defendant illegally obtain guns, but he also served as an accomplice to all of those who used the illegal guns he provided to commit crimes. As such, he deserves every second of the lengthy sentence imposed by Chief Judge Wolford.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that during the course of the conspiracy, co-defendant Deonte Cooper, who also sold heroin, recruited heroin customers to make straw purchases of more than 100 firearms. The purchases were made at gun shows and gun stores in Ohio. The firearms were then transported to Buffalo, where they were sold to local drug dealers, including Titus Thompson.

On May 18, 2018, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives, and the Buffalo Police Department executed a search warrant at 89 Parkridge Avenue in Buffalo in the upper and lower apartments which were utilized by Titus Thompson. During the search, agents recovered a .40 caliber pistol and a 9mm pistol in the upper apartment as well as several firearms in the lower apartment. Thompson has two previous felony convictions and was legally prohibited from possessing firearms.

Deonte Cooper was also convicted at trial and sentenced to serve 60 months in prison.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Nathaniel Myers a/k/a Stretch, 29, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and 280 grams or more of crack cocaine, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremiah E. Lenihan and Joel L. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that the defendant has been in custody at the Niagara County Jail pending the resolution of two separate federal indictments. While at the Niagara County Jail, Myers, in early 2020, made arrangements for kilogram quantities of heroin to be delivered to Buffalo from both North Carolina and California.  In May of 2020, the DEA also seized quantities of cocaine as well as a package containing 3,000 pills of suspected fentanyl/Percocet from individuals who were conspiring with defendant.  During recorded jail calls, defendant discussed such seizures with his co-conspirators.

On June 4, 2020, a package was delivered to one of defendants coconspirators who then left his residence carrying a white plastic bag and drove away in his vehicle. Law enforcement officers attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, but the coconspirator sped away and engaged in a high-speed chase, eluding officers for approximately a mile on Route 33. During the chase, the coconspirator, who was eventually arrested on state charges, threw a plastic bag from his window.  After being released from custody, the coconspirator drove to the area where he discarded the plastic bag; however, the plastic bag was replaced by investigators with a “sham” package of narcotics. On July 14, 2020, the co-conspirator was taken into custody on a federal arrest warrant. A search warrant was executed at his residence on East Lovejoy Street in Buffalo and on his car. Investigators recovered suspected cocaine, a scale, mixing bowl, bottles of cutting agents, gloves, plastic bags for packaging, and a hydraulic press.

Previously, between February and July of 2015, the defendant, along with several others, distributed crack cocaine base throughout the areas of Lombard, Rother, Gibson, and Playter Streets in Buffalo. During this same time, Myers would supply the crack cocaine to his co-conspirators for further re-sale. In addition, while pending sentencing on his 2015 case, between August 9 and August 23, 2018, the defendant conspired to sell butyryl fentanyl to an undercover police officer on two separate occasions. 

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Alton Dunn, 31, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.

 Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Moynihan, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was arrested on July 31, 2018, after officers from the Rochester Police Department, who were patrolling the area of Child Street in Rochester, saw a Lincoln Navigator with a license plate cover obscuring the vehicle’s license plate. Officers pulled the Navigator to the side of the road, approached the vehicle, and identified Dunn, who had been convicted of Robbery in the Second Degree in 2007, as the driver. Officers also learned he did not have a valid driver’s license. After ordering him to exit the Navigator, officers searched the defendant and found a small plastic vial of marijuana in his pocket. Officers could also smell marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, a loaded semiautomatic handgun, with a defaced serial number, and a bag containing 41 vials of marijuana were recovered. Dunn admitted that he intended to distribute the marijuana.
  
The matter was brought by the United States Attorney’s Office as part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative.  PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today the results of the first two weeks of the Federal Violence Prevention and Elimination Response (VIPER) Task Force, a 60-day surge aimed at removing violent gun offenders from the streets of Rochester and Buffalo to enhance public safety and reduce violent crime.  For the period between July 7 and July 22, 2021, the following combined results were achieved in Rochester and Buffalo through VIPER:

• Total Arrests – 138 o Firearm Related Arrests - 45 o Narcotics Related Arrests - 45 o Violent Felony Arrests - 38
• Total Illegal Firearms Seized - 22
• Defendants Adopted for Federal Prosecution - 15 (with 21 additional defendants currently under review for federal prosecution).

“All residents in both Rochester and Buffalo deserve, and are entitled, to feel safe in their own homes,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “Our efforts are designed to remove the worst of the worst from the streets of our communities, and the guns from their hands, so that residents can do just that.  The tremendous coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement combined with the outstanding cooperation we have received from the community have combined thus far to produce some pretty remarkable results.”

Representative Investigations and Federal Prosecutions in both Rochester and Buffalo:

Among the cases charged federal in Rochester, NY, was Raquon Lewis, 24, of Rochester, NY, who was charged by criminal complaint with two separate incidents of being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. According to the criminal complaint, on June 24, 2021, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Rochester Police Officers responded to a call for multiple “shots fired” in the area of the North Union Street/Lays Alley/Weld Street. Prior to the call, numerous civilians were congregating in the area for the funeral procession/celebration of life for 26-year-old Lavar Beard, who was murdered there two days earlier. Given heightened tensions surrounding the murder, several Rochester Police officers were already assigned to the area to monitor the gathering and personally heard multiple gunshots being fired. The eruption in gunfire resulted in at least one person being struck with non-life threatening injuries. At least two firearms were recovered at the scene, as well as numerous casings.

Immediately prior to these gunshots, defendant Lewis was observed, via city blue light cameras, standing with others in front of “Awsan Grocery,” located at the intersection of North Union and Weld Streets, facing east. Another male walked up behind Lewis and pointed a gun point-blank at Lewis’ head. As a result, everyone in the area, including Lewis, fled the area in all directions. Lewis was observed running behind the store and west bound on Weld Street to his vehicle. As Lewis was running, he collided with several other individuals who were involved in the melee, causing him to fall to the ground near the rear of his car. As he fell, Lewis dropped a 9mm semiautomatic pistol loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition. 

On July 16, 2021, a search warrant was executed at Lewis’ residence on Travers Circle in Rochester. During the search, investigators found a loaded 9mm pistol in a couch where Lewis had been sitting. Investigators also recovered approximately $2,395 in cash on Lewis’ person. In addition, quantities of crack cocaine, cocaine, and three electronic scales were also recovered. In 2013, Lewis was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in New York State Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

In Buffalo, Michael Johnson, 43, of Buffalo, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes and being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to the criminal complaint, On July 21, 2021, investigators from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office and Buffalo Police Intelligence Unit set up surveillance in the vicinity of the defendant’s Rogers Avenue residence and observed Johnson carrying a blue shopping bag out of the residence and entering the front passenger seat of a vehicle bearing Ohio plates. Law enforcement executed a traffic stop and Johnson initially provided a false name. Johnson was ordered out of the vehicle but refused and struggled with law enforcement. While law enforcement attempted to remove the defendant, officers observed the blue shopping bag inside the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, investigators recovered a loaded 9mm handgun from inside the blue shopping bag, approximately 28 grams of suspected fentanyl, ammunition, unidentified pills, and a digital scale. Investigators then executed a search warrant at Johnson’s Rogers Avenue residence and recovered a revolver, ammunition, and a digital scale. In March 2008, Johnson was convicted in Albany County Court of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, and as a result is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The VIPER Task Force involves enhanced information sharing, enhanced proactive investigations and prosecutions, and the improvement relations between the community and law enforcement. 

Members of the VIPER Task Force include the United States Attorney’s Office, under the direction U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the United States Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division. VIPER Task Force members in Rochester also include: the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief Cynthia Herriott-Sullivan. VIPER Task Force members in Buffalo also include: the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Chief Byron Lockwood.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Donald Snyder, 50, of Akron, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to embezzlement by union officials. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that between October 2013 and November 2019, the defendant served as president of the International Association of EMTs and Paramedics, Local 394, a labor organization affiliated with the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Local 394 represents approximately 200 private sector employees of Twin City Ambulance in Amherst, NY. During his time as President of Local 394, Snyder embezzled approximately $94,649.85 in funds belonging to Local 394. The defendant did so by writing checks payable to himself, writing checks payable to cash, which he endorsed and withdrew, and making unauthorized bank withdrawals. None of the funds stolen by Snyder were used for a legitimate union purpose, all were used for the defendant’s personal benefit.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Standards, under the direction of the Boston-Buffalo District Director Jonathan Russo.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 17, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned and indictment charging Shayne M. Hildreth, 40, of Bliss, NY, with transportation and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, in February 2018, the Aurora-Marionville Police Department in Lawrence County, Missouri was dispatched to an address in Aurora, Missouri based on a report of a past sexual assault involving a 15-year-old Minor Victim (MVI). MVl stated that she was molested by the defendant over the past several years in the states of New York, Colorado, and Missouri. MVl stated that she had previously found child pornography, including surreptitiously recorded images of herself, on Hildreth’s cellular phone and laptop computer. On February 24, 2018, Aurora-Marionville Police encountered the defendant and seized a cellular telephone found in his possession. On March 2, 2018, during the execution of a search warrant on the phone, three images of child pornography were recovered. 

The defendant was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Aurora-Marionville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Richard Witthuhn, and Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ranjodh Singh, 22, of Canada, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Misha A. Coulson, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant conspired with others, with others, including Amanpreet Gill, to distribute marijuana. In December 2020, Singh’s co-conspirators purchased and arranged for a shipment of marijuana from Canada to be delivered to Smartway Associates in Somerset, NJ. Unbeknownst to the defendant and his co-conspirators, on December 1, 2020, the shipment was intercepted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Peace Bridge Cargo Facility and was searched. Contained within the shipment was a large quantity of marijuana packaged in vacuum sealed bags.

Subsequently, investigators conducted a controlled delivery operation. A silver vehicle, driven by Singh, was observed following the shipment of marijuana and was observed at the two warehouses where the shipment was temporarily stored. After the shipment of marijuana reached its final destination and law enforcement secured the warehouse, the defendant arrived at the warehouse. Investigators seized a cell phone from the defendant which contained videos showing him identifying law enforcement personnel while he was driving around the warehouses.

Charges remain pending against defendant Gill. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti; and the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Thomas E. Krantz.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Daniel Hays, 42, of Bliss, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to attempted receipt of child pornography. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Rossi, who is handling the case, stated that during April and May of 2021, the defendant engaged in sexually explicit online and text communications with an individual who he believed to be an 11-year-old girl. In reality, the child was an undercover New York State Police Investigator working with the Department of Homeland Security. During the conversations, Hays discussed having sex with the child, and asked the child to produce and send to him naked photographs. On May 11, 2021, the defendant traveled approximately two hours from Bliss to the child’s home in the Western District of New York, in order to have sex with the child. Hays was arrested upon his arrival at the meeting place, at which point he was found to be in possession of candy that he purchased as a gift for the child.   

The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly. 

Sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2021, before Judge Geraci.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Derek Torres a/k/a Bebe, 22, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that between July and November 28, 2018, the defendant conspired with others to distribute cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in the area of Wilkins Street in Rochester. On July 18, 2021, Torres sold 10 wax envelopes containing heroin and fentanyl and 10 zip-loc baggies containing cocaine, to an undercover law enforcement officer in exchange for $200 in cash.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Barry Chase; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito; and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 27, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Larimer.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today James A. Chapman a/k/a Fatz Guy a/k/a Perverted Doe, 40, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of production and possession of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison and life supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango, who handled the case, stated that on November 24, 2014, Chapman and Victim 1 communicated via Facebook Messenger about engaging in sexual activity. During the communications, the defendant offered to pay Victim 1 and one of her friends $60 each to have sex with him. Victim 1 stated that she was 16-years-old and that her friend was the same age. Later that evening, Victim 1 and Victim 2 went to Chapman’s residence in Jamestown, and the defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with them, after which Chapman paid each victim $60.

Following the sexual activity, the defendant used his cellular telephone to take a picture of Victim 1 and Victim 2 completely nude sitting on his bed. A review of Chapman’s Facebook accounts revealed that he then distributed the photograph, which constitutes child pornography, to four other individuals.

Subsequently, on April 7, 2017, the defendant began communicating with Victim 3, who was 17-years-old, through Facebook. During their communications, Chapman requested and received a sexually explicit image of Victim 3. The defendant then sent the image, which constitutes child pornography, to another individual. In addition, Chapman sent Victim 3 the sexually explicit image he took of Victim 1 and Victim 2.

“Thanks to this sentence, the defendant will not be able to victimize or sexually exploit minors for the next three decades,” noted U.S. Attorney Kennedy.  “Working with our partners at every level of law enforcement, my Office will continue do all that we can to ensure that the most vulnerable members of our community are protected from those who seek to do them harm.”

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jarmaine Dunbar, 44, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Douglas A. C. Penrose and David J. Rudroff, who handled the case, stated that on October 10, 2020, the defendant was involved in a traffic accident at Leroy Avenue and Holden Street in Buffalo. When officers arrived on the scene, they observed a loaded, semi-automatic pistol on the front passenger seat of Dunbar’s car. When patting down the defendant, officers also retrieved a plastic bag containing cocaine.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Matthew Bald, 40, of Lockport, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor. The charge carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, lifetime supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Rudroff, who is handling the case, stated that in November 2020, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) contacted the New York State Police (NYSP) after receiving a Cybertipline Report involving an image of a suspected sexual performance by a child. The NYSP contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the image was traced to the residence of the defendant, who is a registered Level 2 sex offender following his March 2011 conviction for Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.

On December 15, 2020, the NYSP, Niagara County Probation, and HSI executed a state search warrant at the defendant’s Lockport residence. During the execution of the search warrant, several digital items were located and seized, including a laptop computer and hard drive. Analysis of those items revealed numerous files of suspected child pornography.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released on conditions. 

The complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall, the Niagara County Probation Department, under the direction of Director John Cicchetti, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jensen Vasquez, 35, of Jamestown, NY, with escape from custody. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, defendant, in 2018, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 5 years as a result of his conviction on a federal narcotics charge.  On April 28, 2021, the defendant escaped from the Community Resources for Justice, Lighthouse Buffalo Residential Reentry Center.

The U.S. Marshals Service took Vasquez back into custody on May 21, 2021.

Vasquez was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and is being held pending a detention hearing on July 15, 2021.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the United States Marshals Service, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Charles Salina.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Christopher Cook, 30, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 30 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that in October 2019, law enforcement began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of the defendant and co-defendants Mark Greaman, Damone McNamee, Sr. and Brian Ray, in the area of Broadway Avenue and Strauss Street in Buffalo. Investigators made 40 controlled purchases of fentanyl, heroin, butyryl fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and furanyl fentanyl from all four defendants, including five controlled purchases from defendant Cook.

Co-defendants Mark Greaman, Damone McNamee, Sr. and Brian Ray were previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major James Hall, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.

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CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Richard LaFrance, 35, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty, before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., to enticement of a minor, which carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant, who was 34 years-old at the time, met a 14-year-old minor victim in April of 2019, and began communicating with her via email and text message. The communications between LaFrance and the Minor Victim were sexually explicit and included the defendant requesting that the Minor Victim send him naked pictures. In addition, LaFrance met up with the Minor Victim on at least two occasions and engaged in sexual intercourse. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Chautauqua County Sherriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James B. Quattrone.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 9, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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