CONTACT: Barbara Burns

PHONE: (716) 843-5817

FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Angelo Kidd, 31, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that between August 2018 and June 18, 2019, the defendant conspired with others to sell crack cocaine. On August 31, 2018, Buffalo Police Officers executed a search warrant at 67 and 76 Townsend Street in Buffalo. Kidd was detained along with Charles Washington, John Sanders, Jr., and others. Officers recovered approximately 158 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 76 grams of marijuana, and items used to process and package crack cocaine for distribution. These items included cooking pans, "cut" of white powder, sandwich bags, and a digital scale that contained crack cocaine residue. Officers also recovered approximately $3,163 in United States currency.

On January 21, 2019, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department conducted a stop of a vehicle driven by John Sanders, Jr. The defendant was in the passenger seat. A search of the vehicle recovered 462 grams of marijuana in a vacuum sealed bag in the trunk, and approximately $3,000 to $4,000 in United States currency.

A total of 10 defendants were charged in this case, Kidd is the first to be convicted. 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 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 City of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Strassburg.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2020, 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 a federal grand jury has returned a 34 count indictment charging nine defendants with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 28 grams or more of cocaine base and marijuana, and maintaining a drug involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5,000,000 fine.

 

Named in the indictment are:

• John Sanders, Jr.;

• Lamario Mills, aka Rio;

• Charles Washington;

• Brandon Washington, aka Goldie;

• Jason Jackson, aka Piff;

• Carl Phillips, Jr., aka Bama;

• Duane Pitts;

• Vernon James; and

• Kacene Brathwaite

Some of the defendants face additional charges of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana, and butyryl fentanyl.

  

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremiah E. Lenihan and Joshua A. Violanti, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between August 2018 and June 2019, the defendants conspired to sell cocaine and marijuana. The defendants used the residences at 67 Townsend and 76 Townsend Street in Buffalo to manufacture, store, and distribute the cocaine and marijuana.

Investigators executed search warrants at 57 Townsend Street, 67 Townsend Street, and 76 Townsend Street, and recovered quantities of cocaine and marijuana, and U.S. currency. A search warrant was also executed at Lamario Mills’s residence at the Delaware Park Apartments where a significant quantity of cocaine and marijuana was also recovered.

“These residences on Townsend Street had been the source of frequent citizen complaints,” noted U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “Today’s arrests show that those of us working in law enforcement at every level—federal, state, and local—are sensitive to the concerns of the citizens we serve. We endeavor each day to be responsive to our citizens and remain committed to working together to improve the quality of life across our community.”

The defendants were arraigned this afternoon before U.S Magistrate Jeremiah J. McCarthy and are being held pending detention hearings.

 

The indictment 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; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Edward Kennedy; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney John Flynn; and the Erie County Crime Analysis Center.

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 Washington, 35, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and to distribute, between five and 15 kilograms of cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between June 2011 and November 2014, the defendant obtained multi-kilogram amounts of cocaine from California, then distributed the cocaine to others in the Buffalo area. In addition, during the same time frame, Washington structured cash deposits, in amounts under $10,000, in an effort to hide the proceeds of his illegal drug sales, and avoid the bank reporting requirements for cash deposits over $10,000. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.