Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), announced the unsealing of an indictment yesterday charging five defendants with allegedly engaging in the distribution of cocaine and cocaine base throughout the Southern District of New York.  All five defendants were taken into federal custody on April 10 and April 11, 2019.  The defendants were presented in White Plains federal court yesterday before United States Magistrate Paul E. Davison.  This case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Kenneth M. Karas.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “Our Office is committed to targeting, arresting, and prosecuting criminals that peddle addictive and dangerous drugs to our community.  Thankfully, our law enforcement partners are just as dedicated to this important cause.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “The insidious spread of potentially deadly, illegal drugs harms the small towns outside of the city in the same way it harms the big city.  No one is immune to the crime and violence that accompanies the drug trade.  The FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force would like to thank all the dedicated law enforcement agencies who took part in this and other investigations for their work in making our communities safer.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1]:

From at least in or about 2016 up to and including in or about October 2018, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, RONALD MILLER, a/k/a “Solo,” JASON PARADIES, FRANK NESBITT, a/k/a “Nitty” COREY WEBB, and KIYON WEBB, conspired to distribute five kilograms and more of cocaine and 280 grams of cocaine base. 

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The defendants RONALD MILLER, a/k/a “Solo,” JASON PARADIES, FRANK NESBITT, a/k/a “Nitty” COREY WEBB, and KIYON WEBB, face a maximum term of life in prison, and a mandatory term of 10 years in prison. 

 A chart containing the names of the defendants who were arrested and charged yesterday, and the charges and maximum penalties they face, is attached.

The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for information purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants would be determined by the respective judges.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New York State Police, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, and the City of Kingston Police Department.

These case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Samuel L. Raymond and Courtney Heavey are in charge of the prosecutions.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 



[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment and the description of the Indictment set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.