Western District of New York
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Prior felon arrested on gun chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Gerald Harper, 31, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250.000 fine.
In June 2023, Harper was convicted on a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and sentenced to serve 60 months’ probation. As a result, he was prohibited from possessing firearms and/or ammunition. According to the complaint, on August 13, 2026, a North Tonawanda police officer conducted a traffic stop of Harper’s vehicle for a suspended registration. During the stop, when Harper lowered the window, the officer observed heavy smoke consistent with the scent of marijuana. The officer also observed an open backpack in the vehicle that contained bundles of United States Currency, later determined to be approximately $7,055 in cash. The officer asked Harper to step out of the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Harper is still on federal supervised release, which led to a search of his residence. During that search, investigators located two firearms and ammunition.
Harper made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder, Jr. and was detained.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, New York Field Division.
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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Two Florida men plead guilty for their roles in multi-million dollar fraud scheme that stretched across the countryRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Alec Dierna, 32, and John Engler, 40, both of Boca Raton, Florida, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Between August 2020 and July 2022, Dierna, Engler, and five co-defendants conspired to defraud companies throughout the United States to fraudulently obtain money and property. To execute their scheme, Dierna, Engler, and their co-defendants sent mailers from Florida, California, and Rochester, NY, to tens of thousands of victim companies throughout the United States. The mailers were intended to deceive the victim companies into believing that they had previously ordered products from the companies of co-conspirators, for which they owed payment. The names used on the mailers included Office Outlet; America’s Best; United Chemicals; Hi-Tech Industrial; North Atlantic Supply; Top Tier Chemicals; Nationwide Chemicals; Direct Chemical; Easton Chemical; Safety Supply; and Union Gloves. As a result of the conspiracy, several thousand victim companies paid $8,010,543.50 to co-conspirators’ companies for products that they did not order.
Co-defendants Dylan Paul Costanza, Nicholas Scarantino, Kyle Paul Edward Gibson, Tommy Lee Coburn, and Bryan Lantry were all previously convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and are awaiting sentencing. The company Five Star Warehouse, LLC, entered a corporate plea to conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and is also awaiting sentencing.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa M. Marangola and Kyle P. Rossi. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the IRS Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., New York Field Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.
Dierna and Engler are scheduled to be sentenced on February 10, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Vacca.
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Rochester man pleads guilty to receipt of child pornographyRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Rashad Rabah, 33, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $250,000 fine.
In August 2025, Rabah attempted to collect a package containing a large amount of fentanyl from the U.S. Postal Service Jefferson Road Processing and Distribution Center in Henrietta, NY, which was shipped from Arizona. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted the package and staged a controlled delivery to Rabah. At the time of the delivery, investigators collected Rabah’s cellular telephone. A preliminary search of the phone revealed Rabah’s involvement in illegal activity, including child pornography and child exploitation crimes involving minors in the Rochester area.
A subsequent analysis of Rabah’s phone and online accounts revealed that from at least April 2022, through August 7, 2025, he engaged in sexually explicit online and text conversations with a minor victim, a child in the Rochester area, during which Rabah solicited the minor victim to create and send to him sexually explicit images and videos. The investigation revealed that Rabah paid the minor to engage in this conduct and solicited other minors in the Rochester area. Rabah was also part of an online forum in a particular social media platform that was dedicated to the abuse and exploitation of minors.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle P. Rossi. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a future date.
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Chautauqua County man pleads guilty to production of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Andrew Klos, 21, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a fine of $250,000.
Between August 2021 and May 2024, Klos communicated with a minor victim online. In May 2024, utilizing an online chat application, he coerced the 13-year-old minor victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions, specifically describing the images he wanted. The minor victim, at Klos’s direction, produced and sent the images to him via the internet. A search of Klos’s cell phone recovered the images of the minor victim. In addition, Klos also enticed her to produce images of her minor sibling for his gratification.
During the investigation, Klos admitted to investigators that he engaged in multiple online relationships with other minor females, via internet chat websites or social media applications. During these communications, Klos engaged in sexually explicit conversations.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maeve E. Huggins. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Arcara.
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Prior felon going to prison on new child pornography chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Nicholas Mangione, 45, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography following a prior conviction, was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
In April 2013, Mangione was convicted of possession of child pornography and sentenced to serve 48 months in prison. On August 15, 2024, a federal search warrant was executed at Mangione’s residence after it was discovered he uploaded a file containing child pornography to the Snapchat server. During the search, Mangione’s cellular telephone was seized. An examination of the device uncovered approximately 20 images and 52 videos of child pornography. It was also determined that Mangione distributed child pornography to other individuals using the Telegram application in exchange for other child pornographic files.
On August 16, 2024, the defendant was arrested on New York State charges and was found to be in possession of an additional cell phone, which also contained images and videos of child pornography. Some of the child pornography possessed by Mangione depicted the sexual exploitation of an infant or toddler and depictions of violence against children.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto.
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Pittsford woman pleads guilty to her role in stolen cooking oil schemeRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Fangfang Yan, 41, of Shanxi, China, and Pittsford, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr to misprision of a felony, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
On April 8, 2022, Guodeng Chen and Didi Huang caused 45,000 pounds of stolen, used cooking oil to be shipped from the Western District of New York to a refinery located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Chen and Huang received $29,433.60 for this shipment. On April 28, 2022, Chen and Huang caused another 45,000 pounds of stolen used cooking oil to be shipped from the Western District of New York to a refinery located in Erie, Pennsylvania. Chen and Huang received $30,618.00 for this shipment. Fangfang Yan was aware that Chen and Huang were transporting the stolen cooking oil but failed to notify federal authorities. On May 6, 2022, when interviewed by law enforcement officers and asked about Chen and Huang’s illegal activity, Yan refused to answer the officer’s questions in order to conceal Chen and Huang’s crimes.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Anthony Licari, Special Agent-In-Charge, Midwestern Region.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 1, 2026, before Judge Geraci.
Pittsford man pleads guilty to his role in credit card scamRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Talib Hussain, 75, of Pittsford, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca to misprision of a felony, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
Between 2012 and July 23, 2024, Hussain’s son, Mirza Khan, and others engaged in a scheme to obtain social security numbers of victims and then use them, along with fictitious names, to apply for and obtain credit cards from various financial institutions, including Citibank, Discover Bank, First National Bank of Omaha, and TD Bank. The financial institutions were directed to mailed the fraudulently obtained credit cards to one of many addresses that Khan and his co-conspirators leased in and around Rochester, NY. They would then use the fraudulently obtained credit cards to make purchases or pay property taxes. Talib Hussain owned a property on S. Plymouth Avenue and was legally responsible for paying the taxes associated with that property. However, between 2021 and 2022, Mirza Khan used fraudulently obtained credit cards and his father’s email address to pay the taxes on the property. Talib Hussain knew that his son was engaged in the illegal scheme. He received tax payment receipts, which showed that the taxes were paid using credit cards that were not in Hussain’s or Khan’s names. Despite this, Hussain failed to notify the relevant federal authorities about the commission of the offense.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the IRS Criminal Investigation New York, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Boston Division, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Michael McGill, New York Field Division.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
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Citizen of India, arrested for his role in multi-million-dollar scheme defrauding the elderly, taken into custodyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, of Gujarat, India, and Jersey City, NJ, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to the criminal complaint, in January 2026, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division became aware of an internet and telephone-based fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims in the Western District of New York and other areas around the country. Those responsible for the scheme (perpetrators) fraudulently represented to victims, online and in phone calls, that their bank accounts, funds, and/or personally identifiable information (PII) were threatened or compromised in some manner. Elderly victims were convinced to liquidate their assets in the form of cash, gold, and/or gift cards. The perpetrators would then pose as either members of law enforcement or other pertinent figures to further their scheme to defraud elderly individuals.
When the scheme involved either cash or gold, the perpetrators arranged for “money mules” to pick up the cash or gold from the victims and then deliver it to another member of the conspiracy. Defendant Goswami, who is from Gujarat, India but living in Jersey City, New Jersey, was a money mule. On at least nine occasions, he either personally collected or conspired to collect cash and gold from elderly victims in New York and New Jersey. The victims ranged in age from 59-years-old to 87-years-old. In total, the nine victims lost approximately $7,559,185.00.
The criminal complaint further states that Goswami opened an account at Bank of America. Between August 1, 2025, and April 6, 2026, he made deposits of more than $90,000 in cash. Investigators believe the deposits are consistent with Goswami receiving compensation for acting as a money mule in the fraudulent scheme.
Goswami made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen on August 17, 2026, and was released on conditions. On August 18, 2026, at approximately 10:25 a.m., he fled the United Stats by crossing into Canada at the Peace Bridge. Law enforcement subsequently learned that Goswami was booked on a flight to Doha, Qatar out of Toronto, Ontario, later that evening. The United States Probation Office submitted a Violation Report of Defendant Under Pretrial Supervision to the Court, which issued an Order and Warrant of Arrest. At approximately 7:13 p.m., Canadian law enforcement officials took Goswami into custody, pursuant to Canadian immigration violations, at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. On August 20, Canadian authorities arrested Goswami pursuant to the request for provisional arrest for extradition to the United States.
The fraud case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the IRS Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., New York Field Division. Additional assistance was provided by the New York State Police, the New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security Investigations. Goswami’s re-arrest is the result of the efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina, the IRS-CI, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, U.S. Border Patrol, Buffalo Sector, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato, the U.S Probation Office, under the direction of Chief Probation Officer Clifford Jackson, and Canadian law enforcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs is providing valuable assistance with securing the extradition from Canada of Goswami to the United States.
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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Buffalo man sentenced for defrauding hundreds of victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollarsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Nicholas Janes, 40, of Tonawanda, NY, who was convicted of mail fraud, was sentenced to serve five years’ probation by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
In May 2023, law enforcement learned of many suspicious United States Postal Service Express Mail overnight flat-rate envelopes being mailed to the defendant’s address in Buffalo. The envelopes were addressed to variations of Janes’s name, or what appeared to be different law offices. Most of the address labels were hand-written, and the envelopes were mailed by individuals residing throughout the United States. A search of Janes’s address in various consumer complaint databases revealed a pattern of alleged debt collection fraud victims from throughout the United States. The names “Nicholas Janes,” “Nicholas James,” “The Nichols Law Group,” “The Nicholas Law Group,” and variations of the business name, The Offices of Pachulski, Mueller and Barnes (Muler, Muller, Burns, etc.) were consistently associated with Janes’s address. The defendant also controlled business mailboxes in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he received mail as a result of the fraudulent scheme. That mail was then forwarded to his residence in Buffalo.
As part of his fraudulent scheme, Janes contacted various individuals from around the country by telephone, advising them that they had a debt due on an alleged unpaid loan. He claimed that he was a local sheriff’s deputy, and would threaten the victims with criminal charges, if they did not immediately repay the alleged debt owed. Janes also pretended to be an attorney at fictitious law firms, so victims thought they were negotiating with a legitimate entity. He advised victims to make payment by USPS money orders payable to him, and send them via USPS, Federal Express or United Parcel Service overnight service to various addresses that he controlled and monitored the mail.
In total, Janes victimized more than 500 people for $420,812.92.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.
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Buffalo woman sentenced for her role in conspiracy to steal mailRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Alexandria Duncan, 23, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail theft, was sentenced to serve two years’ probation by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Between October 9 and October 14, 2024, Duncan conspired with co-defendant Timothee S. Tidwell to steal mail from receptacles in Hamburg, NY, and take articles from inside the letters and envelopes that were stolen. For instance, in the early morning hours of October 14, 2024, Duncan drove a vehicle to Camp Road with Tidwell, who exited the vehicle and approached a row of mailboxes outside the post office on Camp Road with a postal arrow key he was not legally entitled to possess. After Tidwell exited the vehicle, Duncan drove the vehicle across the street to a gas station where she was approached by a Village of Hamburg Police officer. While the police officer interacted with Duncan, Tidwell fled the scene.
Duncan and Tidwell used a postal arrow key to open various mailboxes in the Hamburg area to steal multiple mail items. On October 14, 2024, law enforcement recovered opened and unopened mail addressed to other people from Duncan’s vehicle. The opened mail included checks from various individuals and businesses and totaled approximately $369,104.92.
Charges remain pending against Timothee Tidwell.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Village of Hamburg Police, under the direction of Chief Richard Schara, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.
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Ontario man going to prison for drug conspiracyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Mohamed Patel, 40, of Ontario, CA, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute morphine, was sentenced to serve 42 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Between October 2019 and September 11, 2024, Patel conspired with co-defendant Bashir Kasozi, and others, to possess with intent to distribute morphine. Patel arranged for bulk quantities of morphine tablets to be imported into the United States from India and paid multiple individuals in the Western District of New York to receive the controlled substances and store them at their residences. Subsequently, Patel employed Kasozi, a truck driver, to retrieve the morphine tablets and deliver them via tractor trailer across the border to him in Ontario, Canada.
On August 22, 2024, 62 packages of morphine tablets were delivered from India to the Western District of New York. On August 23, 2024, Kasozi, acting at the direction of Patel, entered the United States to collect the packages. That evening, Kasozi arrived at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry with a tractor trailer, with the 62 morphine packages concealed. During his outbound inspection, Kasozi told Customs and Border Protection that he had been in the United States for three days, and that he was coming from Massachusetts with a load of paper, and did not have anything to declare, including prescription or nonprescription narcotics. During a secondary inspection, the 62 packages were discovered and Kasozi was arrested.
On August 30, 2024, Patel arranged for an additional 26 to 28 morphine packages to be received in the Western District of New York, which he would pick up in the United States. On September 11, 2024, Patel traveled from Canada to the United States, arriving at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry. Patel did not retrieve the morphine packages as scheduled and was taken into custody upon attempting to return to Canada.
Patel admitted that between October 2019 and September 22, 2024, he imported multiple shipments of morphine tablets into the United States from locations in India, and that a number of those shipments were seized by law enforcement at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City, FedEx, the Canadian border, and from various individuals in the Western District of New York.
Bashir Kasozi was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine. The sentencing 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 Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.
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Safire nursing homes agree to pay $9 million to resolve fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid billing allegationsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns, LLC, Safire Rehabilitation of Southtowns, LLC, and Williamsville Suburban, LLC, have agreed to pay $9,000,000 to resolve allegations arising under the Federal False Claims Act and the New York False Claims Act regarding false claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid. This action is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
The United States alleges that between approximately January 1, 2015 and approximately October 1, 2019, Safire submitted false claims to the Medicare and Medicaid programs for skilled rehabilitative therapy services that Safire knew were not reasonable or necessary, supported by the documentation in medical records, documented as provided, or provided at all. The United States specifically alleged that Safire fraudulently inflated reimbursements from the Medicare and Medicaid programs by: (a) scheduling skilled rehabilitative therapy and setting skilled rehabilitative therapy goals for residents based on the reimbursement policies of the residents’ insurer, rather than medical need, such that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries were scheduled for more skilled rehabilitative therapy than was necessary; (b) pressuring treating therapists to provide therapy even when treating therapists recommended against therapy; (c) pressuring residents to attend therapy sessions even after the residents repeatedly refused to participate; and (d) manufacturing and/or altered therapy referrals and medical records to justify unreasonable and unnecessary therapy.
“Medicare and Medicaid fraud drains taxpayer funds and weakens these vital government programs”, stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “This settlement reinforces our commitment to safeguarding federal funds and ensuring seniors receive the care they deserve.”
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The civil settlement is the result of a matter brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act in the matter captioned United States and the State of New York ex rel. Ciavarella v. Safire Rehabilitation of Northtowns, LLC., et al., 20-cv-07078-EAW (W.D.N.Y.). Of the $9 million settlement, $5.4 million constitutes the federal portion of the recovery and $3.6 million constitutes a recovery for State Medicaid programs. The Relator/whistleblower will receive a share of the federal recovery in this case.
The resolution of this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Coriell and Investigator Peggy McFarland handled the matter on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The investigation and resolution of this matter illustrate the government’s emphasis on combating health care fraud. One of the most powerful tools in this effort is the False Claims Act. Tips and complaints from all sources about potential fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement can be reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477).
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
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Niagara Falls man going to prison for gun conspiracy and filling fraudulent hydrocodone prescriptionsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Sean Reed, Jr., 38, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to illegally transport firearms and obtaining controlled substances through fraud, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Between September 2018 and May 2019, Reed conspired with others to transport at least 25 firearms to New York State that had been purchased in the State of Kentucky. Reed traveled to Kentucky, purchased the firearms from an individual living in Kentucky, and then transported the firearms back to New York. The firearms were purchased at various flea markets and pawn shops.
In addition, beginning in July 2021, Reed began receiving fraudulent prescriptions for hydrocodone from a secretary at a medical practice in Niagara Falls. The secretary had illegally accessed a doctor’s e-prescribing token and used it to issue hydrocodone prescriptions for herself, Reed, and others. The doctor was unaware of the secretary’s unlawful use of his e-prescribing token. Reed submitted the prescriptions to various pharmacies in the Niagara Falls area to obtain the hydrocodone pills. Reed received a total of 68 hydrocodone prescriptions, with each containing between 20 and 28 pills.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. 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 Bryan DiGirolamo, New York Field Division, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.
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Washington State man pleads guilty to charge involving bitcoin schemeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Christopher Rankin, 40, of Washington State, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to transmitting a program, information, code, or command to a protected computer and causing damage, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, and a fine of $100,000.
In July 2021, Rankin was hired by a bitcoin mining company located in Niagara Falls, NY. Bitcoin mining is the process of validating bitcoin transaction information on the ledger of transactions on which bitcoin is based. The company connected to mining pools, which consist of multiple miners who combine their computing power and split the resulting profits. Rankin accessed, without authorization, 100 computers used by the company and manually reset the computers, directing them to a mining pool that he created. Rankin then sent bitcoin from the fraudulent mining pool to bitcoin wallets that he controlled. While doing so, Rankin put the computers in “high-performance” mode, causing damage to the computers by severely limiting their lifespan, and impairing the integrity and availability of information contained on the computers. Rankin’s actions led to the company losing 1.06683386 BTC bitcoin, which, at the time of offense, amounted to $53,315.75 being stolen by Rankin.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly. The plea is the result of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, Buffalo Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charles T. Perras.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 17, 2026, before Judge Roemer.
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Buffalo man arrested, charged with stealing postal keyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Kaevon Raymere Leonard, 33, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with unauthorized possession of U.S. postal service key, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, in July 2024, a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) letter carrier was robbed of their arrow key at gunpoint while working their delivery route in Buffalo. The arrow key is used to access several hundred USPS blue collection boxes located within Buffalo and surrounding towns and cities. Soon after the robbery, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, financial institutions, and local law enforcement started receiving numerous complaints from individuals and businesses, claiming they mailed envelopes containing checks from Buffalo metro-area blue collection boxes, which were stolen, altered and cashed, rather than delivered to their intended recipients.
In addition, law enforcement also identified individuals, including Leonard, posting pictures of USPS arrow keys on social media. In July 2024, a picture was posted to a Facebook account showing Leonard holding an arrow key attached to a USPS issued chain, which letter carriers use to secure the arrow key to their belt loops. A caption below the picture states, “Willing to die behind this metal it’s a trophy takes alot to understand me if you know me #vizagangceo.” On August 22, 2025, another image of Leonard was posted to his Facebook account showing an arrow key attached to his belt loop with a carabiner. On September 23, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Leonard’s North Park Avenue residence. During a search of Leonard’s person, investigators recovered a USPS arrow key, which was attached to his belt loop with a carabiner. The arrow key included the same serial number of the arrow key stolen from the letter carrier in July 2024. Investigators also recovered additional evidence of Leonard recruiting check cashers, also known as “mules,” on social media, and possessing stolen mail and checks.
Leonard made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and released on home detention.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz M. Wright. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector-in-Charge Justin Page, Boston Division.
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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Bangladeshi man pleads guilty to his role in fraud conspiracyRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Iftekhar Latif Nieon, 24, of Bangladesh, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
In 2025, Nieon conspired with others to commit wire fraud against three victims, including:
- In March 2025, Nieon’s co-conspirators obtained the credit card information of a 68-year-old woman residing in the Western District of New York and placed an unauthorized charge on the card for “virus protection software.” The woman noticed the unauthorized charge and called a number that she believed belonged to the “virus protection software company.” Co-conspirators answered the call and fraudulently represented that they were “representatives” of the “virus protection software company,” and that she needed to give the “representative” remote access to her computer so that the “representative” could process a refund. The woman did so but, instead of processing a refund, the co-conspirator transferred $20,000 from her savings account to her checking account, without her knowledge or permission. The “representative” executed the transaction in a way that made it appear as if the “representative” had accidentally deposited a $20,000 refund into the checking account. The “representative” then falsely represented that the woman had to “return” $19,500, instructing her to withdraw the funds in cash and meet Nieon at a particular location, which the woman did.
- In April 2025, a 73-year-old man residing in the Western District of New York received an email from a co-conspirator who falsely claimed to be from “Geek Squad.” The man was told that his “Geek Squad subscription” was going to be renewed within 12 hours and that he was going to be charged $329.99 unless he contacted “Geek Squad” at a particular number. The man called the number and received a return call from a co-conspirator, who falsely identified him or herself as a “Geek Squad supervisor” and advised the man that he would be refunded $440. The man was then told that $30,000 was accidently refunded to his account and that he needed to give back $28,000 of the refund. The man checked his account and confirmed there was a “pending” $30,000 deposit. At the instruction of a co-conspirator, the man withdrew $28,000 in cash and turn it over to Nieon and a co-conspirator at a particular location. The following day, the man checked his account and realized that the $30,000 deposit never cleared.
- Also in April 2025, a co-conspirator called an 82-year-old man in Ohio, falsely identified him or herself as a representative of PayPal, and claimed that there was an “error” in his account. The man was instructed to withdraw $15,000 from his account and give it to Nieon at a particular location. The man complained but met Nieon at a predetermined location and gave him $14,500.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGurire. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation New York, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the Pepper Pike, Ohio Police Department, under the direction of Chief Karl Dietz.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 30, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Wolford.
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Adult entertainment clubs agree to pay $354,176 to resolve allegations related to pandemic loan eligibilityRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that two locations of Mustang Salley’s Spirit and Grill, 5111 Genesee Street, Inc., and 414 W Ridge Rd, Inc., have agreed to pay $354,176 to resolve allegations arising under the False Claims Act (FCA), that the clubs fraudulently obtained funding through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs, through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), for which they were not eligible. This action is part of the Trump Administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.
Under SBA rules, “Businesses which: (1) Present live performances of a prurient sexual nature; or (2) Derive directly or indirectly more than de minimis gross revenue through the sale of products or services, or the presentation of any depictions or displays, of a prurient sexual nature,” are not eligible to receive funding through the EIDL program or PPP.” Although the clubs were adult-entertainment businesses that presented nude and semi-nude erotic dancing, they certified in their PPP and EIDL applications that they were eligible to receive funding, and as a result received $177,088 in 2020 and 2021. The United States alleged, that the clubs violated the FCA by falsely certifying their eligibility for funding.
The civil settlement also resolves pending civil forfeiture litigation in the United States District Court for the Western District of New York, captioned United States v. One 2017 Bentley Mulsanne, 23-cv-941-JLS. In that action, the United States was seeking the forfeiture of a vehicle that it contends was proceeds of and traceable to the clubs’ PPP and/or EIDL proceeds.
“PPP and EIDL funds were meant for eligible businesses to help them through the depths of the Covid pandemic,” stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. “This settlement demonstrates my office’s commitment to ensuring that taxpayer funds are used for the purposes they were intended and by the businesses for which they were intended.”
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (Fraud Division). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service, Buffalo Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Charles T. Perras, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., and the United States Attorney’s Office.
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Registered sex offender arrested on new child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Eric A. Brown, 42, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution and possession of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years.
According to the complaint, in February 2025, the New York State Police began investigating Eric Brown after receiving a report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). NCMEC received a tip from Quora, a social question-and-answer platform, stating that files of suspected child pornography were uploaded by an account subsequently traced to Brown. On June 24, 2026, investigators executed a search warrant at Brown’s Van Buren Street residence and seized two cell phones. A preliminary review of one of the cell phones determined that it contained suspected child pornography.
Brown is a Level-1 Sex Offender in New York State following a 2015 Conviction for Possessing Sexual Performance by a Child.
Brown made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was held pending a detention hearing on August 12, 2026.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.
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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Genesee County man sentenced for possession of machinegunsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Peter Celentano, 37, of Bergen, NY, who was convicted of illegal possession of machineguns, was sentenced to serve 41 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
On September 29, 2024, the New York State Police, Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, executed a search warrant at Celentano’s residence in Bergen. During the search, law enforcement recovered numerous items, including 3D printed pistol frames, firearm parts and accessories, ammunition reloading equipment, tools for constructing privately made firearms, a drill press, and two 3D printed machinegun conversion devices. Law enforcement also conducted additional searches at properties in Lyndonville and Medina, NY, during which they seized numerous AR-style lower receivers, 3D printed handguns, and additional firearm parts and accessories. In total, law enforcement seized over 200 firearms tied to Celentano.
During the investigation, law enforcement learned that Celentano provided another individual with nine lower receivers, two of which contained the “third pin hole,” qualifying them as machineguns. An individual known by defendant had subsequently discarded these firearms off the Beals Road Bridge into the Erie Canal. A New York State Police dive team searched the Erie Canal beneath the bridge in Medina, NY, and recovered a cardboard box containing 10 AR-style receivers, an unmarked handgun, ammunition magazines, and additional firearm parts.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Joseph M. Graff, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, New York Field Division.
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Wyoming County man going to prison for transportation of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Shayne M. Hildreth, 46, of Bliss, NY, who was convicted of transportation of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 117 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 60 months of his federal sentence will be served consecutive to a sentence he received in New York State Court after being convicted in Wyoming County following a jury trial of use of a child in a sexual performance as a sexually motivated felony, unlawful surveillance in the second degree, criminal sexual act in the second degree and endangering the welfare of a child.
On February 24, 2018, a 15-year-old minor victim disclosed that she had been sexually abused by Hildreth and that she had seen child pornography on his cell phone. She reported that Hildreth was traveling from the Western District of New York to Aurora, MO. During an encounter with Hildreth later that day, law enforcement seized his cell phone. A search of the cell phone located 12 images of child pornography. Hildreth had engaged in a pattern of activity involving the sexual abuse or exploitation of a minor, which involved sexual contact on two separate occasions.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aaron J. Mango and Douglas A. C. Penrose. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Aurora-Marionville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Wes Coatney, Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. Additional assistance was provided by the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force and the Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office.
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MS-13 Gang member pleads guilty to illegal reentry after federal racketeering convictionRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Yelso Ollyder Castro-Licona, 38, a citizen and native of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to reentry of a removed alien subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Castro-Licona is an alien without any legal status in the United States. In July 2004, he was found to be illegally present in the United States and was physically removed in January 2008. In November 2008, Castro-Licona was once again found to be illegally present in the United States, and the prior order of removal was reinstated. In May 2010, Castro-Licona, a member of the MS-13 gang, was convicted on a federal racketeering conspiracy charge. According to the prior case, the racketeering activity included murder, robbery, extortion, witness tampering, obstruction of justice, drug trafficking, and federal firearms violations. He was sentenced to serve 75 months in prison and was released from custody in May 2014. In July 2014, Castro-Licona was physically removed once again from the United States. In February 2026, he was found in Erie County, NY, in the Western District of New York. He did not possess any legal documents allowing him to be present in the United States.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald. The plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato, the Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the direction of Acting Field Operations Director Phillip Rhoney, and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Christopher Bourke.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
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Jamestown man sentenced on multiple drug chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jun N. Martinez, 33, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 grams or more of acetyl fentanyl; 400 grams or more of fentanyl; 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced to time served (approximately 70 months) by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
During the conspiracy, Martinez received several large packages of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin via mail from an out of state source. He also provided large quantities of crystal methamphetamine and heroin/fentanyl to an individual known to law enforcement, who then sold the drugs to others for profit. The individual then provided additional funds to Martinez for more narcotics. During a trip in September 2020, to acquire more narcotics, Martinez’s vehicle was stopped by an Illinois State Police Trooper. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 9,589 grams of methamphetamine, 3,157 grams of fentanyl, 2,241 grams of cocaine, and marijuana products. In October 2020, during the execution of a search warrant at Martinez’s Wescott Street residence, investigators recovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a drug ledger and approximately $62,000.
This case was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, under the direction of Jamestown Police Chief Scott Forster, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana, New York Field Division.
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Jamestown man charged with fentanyl and gun chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Dasai Bradberry, 24, of Jamestown, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of life.
According to the complaint, on August 4, 2025, the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a Bush Street residence associated with Bradberry. During the search, investigators recovered a semi-automatic rifle, ammunition, approximately 22 grams of suspected fentanyl, Oxycodone pills, $1,303.00 in cash, and drug paraphernalia.
Bradberry made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained pending trial.
This is HSTF. This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Forster.
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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Buffalo man pleads guilty to selling fentanyl that resulted in two deathsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Rashaun Crule, 32, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to distribution of fentanyl, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1,000,000.
On February 10, 2023, Crule delivered a bag of fentanyl to an individual identified as M.M., at a location on Campus Drive in Amherst, NY. Within approximately 20 minutes of Crule delivering the fentanyl, M.M. did not communicate with anyone and was never seen alive again. On February 12, 2023, law enforcement officers arrived at the Campus Drive residence after receiving a 911 call from the mother of an individual identified as B.Y. The mother reported that she found a dead woman inside of her son’s home. Law enforcement found M.M. and B.Y. slumped over in close proximity to the dining room table. Both were deceased. The Erie County Medical Examiner's office determined that the cause of death for both M.M. and B.Y. was acute intoxication with fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol. At the time, Crule was on probation for a 2022 felony drug conviction in Erie County.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division, and the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Chamberlin.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2026, before Judge Arcara.
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Buffalo man charged with possession of methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanylRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jamarr A. Cunningham a/k/a Grass, 31, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, and 40 grams of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
According to the complaint, in November 2025, the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force conducted multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from a co-conspirator associated with Cunningham at a Palmer Street residence in Jamestown. On November 13, 2025, the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at the Palmer Street residence, seizing a quantity of suspected cocaine, suspected methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and a quantity of cash. Cunningham was the residence and taken into custody on New York State charges.
Cunningham made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions following a detention hearing.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Forster.
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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Prior sex offender arrested on new child pornography chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that James Mitchell, 40, of Gowanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with receipt, distribution and possession of child pornography, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 19, 2026, the New York State Police responded to Mitchell’s Broadway Road residence in Gowanda, after receiving information that he allegedly possessed child pornography on his cellular phone. The information came from an individual (Informant) who is part of an online organization, not affiliated with law enforcement, performing volunteer activities to identify child abusers on the internet. Law enforcement received information that Mitchell engaged in sexually explicit communications over TELEGRAM (an encrypted communications application) with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old boy. During these conversations, Mitchell discussed plans to meet the 13-year-old to engage in sexual acts in Fredonia and Amherst, NY.
Law enforcement seized Mitchell’s cellphone. A subsequent search recovered numerous videos containing child pornography. In addition, investigators located a conversation on Telegram with an unidentified user, during which Mitchell stated: “Lol. I prefere 11+, so most the stuff I have is in the 11-17 range,” indicating that he primarily had a sexual interest in children ages 11 to 17 and that he possessed child pornography depicting 11-to-17-year-old children. Mitchell exchanged approximately 143 videos and/or images depicting child pornography during the conversation. In another conversation, he advised another individual that he had “over 6000” videos of child pornography on a flash drive, but “only like 15 of them are kids and animals.”
Mitchell is a Registered Level 1 sex offender in New York and Indiana following a June 25, 2007, conviction in Cattaraugus County Court for Possessing an Obscene Sexual Perform by Child Less Than 16 Years Old.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto.
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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Guatemalan man pleads guilty to crashing into a Border Patrol vehicleRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Ericson Vasquez-Moran, 22, of Guatemala, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to depredation and injury to government property, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
On May 13, 2026, Vasquez-Moran drove his vehicle into a United States Border Patrol vehicle, causing more than $1,000 worth of damage to the government vehicle. He then fled the scene, leading to a high-speed pursuit by law enforcement. Police eventually deployed a spike strip device, disabling Vasquez-Moran’s vehicle. The defendant then fled on foot but surrendered several hours later and was taken into custody.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald. The plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato, the Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations, under the direction of Acting Field Operations Director Phillip Rhoney, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, and the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff David Linder.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 11, 2026, before Judge Arcara.
Falconer man pleads guilty to production of child pornography shortly after federal trial beginsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Yusef E. Malik Myrick, 27, of Falconer, NY, pleaded guilty to four counts of production of child pornography before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. following opening arguments in his federal jury trial. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine.
Between September 2020, and December 19, 2021, Myrick communicated with several minor females on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram, coercing four minor victims to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purposes of producing visual depictions of such conduct.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers discovered that in December 2021, Myrick instructed co-defendant Lily A. Brandow to locate his cell phone, which he hid in their home in an attempt to conceal it from law enforcement. He also instructed Brandow to access and delete several Google accounts and a Snapchat account which he knew were subjects of the investigation and prosecution. On January 31, 2022, during the arrest of Brandow, Myrick’s cell phone was seized and found to contain child pornography.
The investigation further determined that Myrick engaged in a sexually explicit conversation with a victim on Snapchat, during which he asked the minor victim to send him a sexually explicit photo. Myrick also accessed the victim’s Snapchat account and posted a video to her public Snap Story, depicting the victim engaged in sexual activity with another known minor. In addition, Myrick engaged in sexual activity with three other minor victims and recorded the activity on his cell phone. He sent the sexually explicit videos from two of the victims to other individuals.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James B. Quattrone; the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Forster; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, and the Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief Daniel Ingrao. Additional assistance was provided by the Rome, Georgia Police Department, and the Child Advocacy Program of Chautauqua County.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date before Judge Sinatra.
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NJ man pleads guilty to document fraudRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, NY — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Christopher Hernandez, 31, of Bergen, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to fraudulent production of more than five identification documents, authentication features, or false identification documents, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
On July 7, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant on Hernandez’s iCloud account [email protected]. The account contained fraudulent driver’s licenses, social security cards, U.S. passports, credit cards, and bank cards. These included a fraudulent NYS Driver’s License using the name and other personally identifiable information of Victim 1, a resident of the Western District of New York. On September 16, 2025, as investigators attempted to execute a search warrant at Hernandez’s residence, he attempted to obstruct justice by destroying evidence. After law enforcement successfully entered the residence, they found additional fraudulent driver’s licenses, social security cards, credit cards, and other identification documents, as well as equipment that the defendant used to make false identification documents.
In total, investigators seized: approximately 67 debit/credit cards; approximately 15 Social Security cards; approximately nine Passport Cards; approximately one Permanent Resident Alien Card; approximately three MTA Transit Track Safety Certifications; and approximately 106 driver’s licenses from approximately 21 different states. Hernandez used the personally identifiable information of more than 10 individuals to produce the identification documents, authentication features, and false identification documents.
In addition, Hernandez admits:
- In December 2024, he fraudulently obtained a $175,400.80 check that was issued out of a bank account belonging to Victim 2. The check was deposited into Hernandez’s checking account.
- In October, 2024, he fraudulently obtained a $10,900 check that was issued out of the retirement account of Victim 3 and deposited into his checking account.
- In April 2024, he fraudulently obtained a $79,500.89 check that was issued out of the retirement account of Victim 4 and deposited into his checking account.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan K. McGuire. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Office of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 17, 2026, before Judge Geraci.
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Illegal alien who was convicted of the sexual assault of a child pleads guilty to and sentenced for illegal re-entryRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Arlem Bayardo Cabrera-Escoto, 41, of a native and citizen of Honduras, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to illegal re-entry subsequent to an aggravated felony conviction. The defendant was then sentenced to serve five months in prison. After serving his sentence, Cabrera-Escoto will be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
On April 22, 2026, four illegal aliens were arrested in Depew, NY, as part of a targeted enforcement effort. Law enforcement, who observed four Hispanic males exit a residence and leave in a truck parked at the residence, conducted a vehicle stop shortly after. After questioning, all four admitted that they were in the United States illegally and did not have any immigration documents that would have allowed them to be, enter, or remain in the United States. Law enforcement asked the driver to step out of the vehicle, at which time he attempted to flee on foot and actively resisted arrest. The three passengers, including Cabrera-Escoto, also fled on foot. Cabrera-Escoto was taken into custody a short time later.
During processing, it was determined that Cabrera-Escoto is a native and citizen of Honduras illegally present in the United States. In April 2005, Cabrera-Escoto was convicted of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, an aggravated felony, and sentenced to 240 days confinement in the State of Wisconsin. In August 2005, he was physically removed from the United States.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald. The plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Acting Chief Patrol Agent James D’Amato, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.
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Buffalo man pleads guilty to selling fentanyl involved in an overdose deathRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Stanley B. Wallace a/k/a Spitz, 36, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to distribution of fentanyl, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, and a fine of $1,000,000.
In May 2022, three individuals drove to a Schreck Avenue residence. One of the individuals went inside and purchased a quantity of blue fentanyl pills from Spitz. That individual then gave the pills purchased from Spitz to the individual, identified as B.B., who drove to the Schreck Avenue residence. After leaving B.B., one of the other individuals consumed one of the pills and then texted B.B.: “…I honestly think are straight fent potent as (expletive) I’m high outta my mind plz don’t sniff a quarter of that strait bro don’t want u to od.” The following day, B.B. was found dead in his Lockport, NY residence.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the hotel room where the other two individuals were staying and recovered two blue pills, and two partial blue pills, that tested positive for fentanyl. A search warrant was then executed at the Schreck Avenue residence, where law enforcement recovered drug paraphernalia.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani. The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 30, 2026, before Judge Sinatra.
Buffalo man pleads guilty to cocaine chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY — U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Joseph Cruz Ocasio a/k/a Joe Crack, 38, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $1,000,000.
On October 16, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at Ocasio’s Weiss Street residence, during which they seized drug paraphernalia, approximately $3,995 in cash, and approximately 872 grams of cocaine. During prior surveillance, multiple individuals were observed arriving at the residence for short periods of time. On one occasion, Ocasio was observed conducting a hand-to-hand transaction.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani. 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 Bryan DiGirolamo, New York Field Division, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Chief Erika Shields.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 11, 2026, before Judge Vilardo.
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Bronx man going to prison for bank fraud conspiracy and ID theftRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Edwin Robles, 38, of the Bronx, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
In January 2025, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, co-conspirator Vance Ashley was recruited by members of the conspiracy to pose as other persons and make unauthorized withdrawals from the other persons’ bank accounts. Ashley agreed to do this in exchange for money. Between January 28 and February 3, 2025, Ashley drove with Robles and co-conspirators Edward Richardson and Michael Herrera, to bank branches in Wilmington, Delaware, Liberty, NY, and Lock Haven, PA, where Ashely used the identifications of other individuals to make, or attempt to make, unauthorized withdrawals from the victims’ bank accounts.
On February 5, 2025, the defendants drove to a Northwest Bank branch in Lockport, within the Western District of New York. Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal of from the account of an individual residing in Erie, PA. Ashley also purchased a bank check using funds from the account. That same day, the defendants drove to another Northwest Bank branch in Williamsville, within the Western District of New York, and again Ashley made an unauthorized withdrawal from an account and purchased a bank check using funds from the account of a victim from North East PA. Also on February 5, 2025, Robles unlawfully used the identification of another person during a felony violation.
The total loss amount, including actual loss and intended loss, is $91,300.00.
Ashley was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry Chavis and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone.
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Federal jury convicts New Jersey man of terrorism offenses relating to his attempted murder of Salman RushdieRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, NY — A federal jury has convicted Hadi Matar, 28, of Fairview, New Jersey, of attempting to provide material support to Hizbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization, engaging in an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries, and providing material support to terrorists.
“Hadi Matar, who was born and raised in the United States, chose to align his values with the terroristic values of the leaders of Iran, which often promote violence, and in this case, the call for murder,” said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York. “The defendant spent months planning and preparing to carry out what he hoped would be the execution of Salman Rushdie and possibly follow in the footsteps of martyrs he admired. Instead, his attempted act of terror failed, and Salman Rushdie survived, thanks to courageous members of the public and law enforcement, who saved Rushdie and captured Matar.”
“Matar spent more than a year immersing himself in Hizballah’s violent ideology and preparing to act on a fatwa issued by Iran’s Ayatollahs calling for Mr. Rushdie’s murder,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “His brutal attack on Mr. Rushdie during a peaceful speaking event is a chilling reminder of the global reach of Iranian terrorism. With today’s verdict, justice has been done, and Matar will pay for his crimes.”
“Today's guilty verdict reaffirms that acts of terrorism will not prevail over the freedoms our nation was built to protect,” said Allen D. Davis II, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “By attempting to silence free expression through terrorism, the defendant attacked not only an individual, but a U.S. Constitutional right. FBI Buffalo's Joint Terrorism Task Force remains unwavering in our commitment to countering terrorism, violent extremism, and ensuring those who threaten our communities are held accountable.”
On Aug. 12, 2022, Matar attempted to murder author Salman Rushdie in an effort to carry out a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s execution because of a novel published by Rushdie in 1988. That fatwa was issued in 1989 by the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ruhollah Khomeini; reaffirmed in 2017 by the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei; and endorsed in a 2006 speech by Hizballah’s Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah.
According to evidence presentenced by the government, Matar spent over a year researching the fatwa, including its continuing validity, before deciding to carry it out while Rushdie spoke at the Chautauqua Institution in Mayville, NY. Prior to the attack, Matar discussed the fatwa — and Hizballah’s endorsement of the fatwa — with individuals located in Iran, Australia, and Canada. He also created videos about the fatwa, with titles such as “Rushdie_Fatwa 2.0” and “Rushdie_Fatwa 1.6,” which combined videos about the fatwa with video of Hassan Nasrallah endorsing the fatwa in 2006.
Matar surrounded himself with symbols of Hizballah martyrs before the attack. He traveled to the Chautauqua Institution using the name “Hassan Mughniyeh,” and carried a false driver’s license bearing the same name. Matar’s false name contained the first name of Hassan Nasrallah, Hizballah’s Secretary General, and the last name of Imad Mughniyeh, the former head of Hizballah’s External Security Organization, who was responsible for planning a number of Hizballah’s terrorist attacks. On the morning of the attack, Matar visited a website run by Hizballah and took screenshots of Hizballah martyrs who had died in the month of August.
Matar faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on November 3, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, who presided over the trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Lynch and Charles M. Kruly for the Western District of New York and Trial Attorney Jennifer Burke of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case. The case was investigated by the Buffalo Office of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. Additional assistance was provided by the Newark, NJ, office of the FBI and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
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Federal Jury Convicts New Jersey Man of Terrorism Offenses Relating to His Attempted Murder of Salman RushdieRead the Press Release
A federal jury has convicted Hadi Matar, 28, of Fairview, New Jersey, of attempting to provide material support to Hizbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization, engaging in an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries, and providing material support to terrorists.
“Matar spent more than a year immersing himself in Hizballah’s violent ideology and preparing to act on a fatwa issued by Iran’s Ayatollahs calling for Mr. Rushdie’s murder,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “His brutal attack on Mr. Rushdie during a peaceful speaking event is a chilling reminder of the global reach of Iranian terrorism. With today’s verdict, justice has been done, and Matar will pay for his crimes.”
“Hadi Matar, who was born and raised in the United States, chose to align his values with the terroristic values of the leaders of Iran, which often promote violence, and in this case, the call for murder,” said U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo for the Western District of New York. “The defendant spent months planning and preparing to carry out what he hoped would be the execution of Salman Rushdie and possibly follow in the footsteps of martyrs he admired. Instead, his attempted act of terror failed, and Salman Rushdie survived, thanks to courageous members of the public and law enforcement, who saved Rushdie and captured Matar.”
“This was not an impulsive act; Matar conducted a violent attack in support of a designated foreign terrorist organization and wanted to carry out a fatwa against the victim,” said Assistant Director Jarod Brown of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division. “With today’s verdict, this assailant will pay the price of engaging in terrorism. The FBI and our partners are committed to bringing terrorists and all who support them to justice.”
On Aug. 12, 2022, Matar attempted to murder author Salman Rushdie in an effort to carry out a fatwa calling for Rushdie’s execution because of a novel published by Rushdie in 1988. That fatwa was issued in 1989 by the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ruhollah Khomeini; reaffirmed in 2017 by the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei; and endorsed in a 2006 speech by Hizballah’s Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah.
According to evidence presentenced by the government, Matar spent over a year researching the fatwa, including its continuing validity, before deciding to carry it out while Rushdie spoke at the Chautauqua Institution in Mayville, NY. Prior to the attack, Matar discussed the fatwa — and Hizballah’s endorsement of the fatwa — with individuals located in Iran, Australia, and Canada. He also created videos about the fatwa, with titles such as “Rushdie_Fatwa 2.0” and “Rushdie_Fatwa 1.6,” which combined videos about the fatwa with video of Hassan Nasrallah endorsing the fatwa in 2006.
Matar surrounded himself with symbols of Hizballah martyrs before the attack. He traveled to the Chautauqua Institution using the name “Hassan Mughniyeh,” and carried a false driver’s license bearing the same name. Matar’s false name contained the first name of Hassan Nasrallah, Hizballah’s Secretary General, and the last name of Imad Mughniyeh, the former head of Hizballah’s External Security Organization, who was responsible for planning a number of Hizballah’s terrorist attacks. On the morning of the attack, Matar visited a website run by Hizballah and took screenshots of Hizballah martyrs who had died in the month of August.
Matar faces a maximum penalty of life in prison when sentenced on Nov. 3 before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, who presided over the trial.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Lynch and Charles M. Kruly for the Western District of New York and Trial Attorney Jennifer Burke of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section prosecuted the case. The case was investigated by the Buffalo Office of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto. Additional assistance was provided by the Newark, NJ, office of the FBI and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Homeland Security Task Force investigation leads to charges against six defendants for their roles in an Elmira drug trafficking ringRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Eric J. Barner a/k/a E a/k/a Dree, 40, Ashanique Graham a/k/a Shorty, 30, Geneno Mable, 51, Matthew R. Swinko, 28, and Ryan Palmieri, 36, all of Elmira, NY, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and a quantity of cocaine. Charged in a separate complaint with conspiracy was Dominic Murphy, 31, also of Elmira. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum penalty of life, and $10,000,000. Murphy is also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement began investigating the drug trafficking activities of the defendants in October 2025, as part of an ongoing narcotics trafficking investigation. Identified as the Barner Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), the defendants sold cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, using cellular phones to conduct their drug business, in the Elmira, NY, area. The DTO utilized multiple locations to store and sell narcotics including a former store front on Lake Street, and residences on Baldwin Avenue, Mulberry Street, Lackawanna Avenue, W. Thurston Street, Harper Street.
During the execution of multiple search warrants, investigators seized:
- $152,080.57 in cash
- Approximately 69 grams of cocaine
- Approximately three grams of crack cocaine
- Approximately 646 grams of fentanyl
- Approximately 3,306 grams of methamphetamine
- Approximately 65 grams of psilocybin
- Approximately 19 grams of liquid methadone
- Approximately one gram of MDMA
- Approximately 64 grams of Clonazepam
- 34 firearms, including two ghost guns
- Two pipe bombs
- Soft body armor
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Enforcement and Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola. The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, and the Elmira Police Department, under the direction of Chief Kristen Thorne.
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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Conesus couple arrested, charged with production of child pornographyRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Donald Coty, 40, and his wife, Megan Coty, 38, both of Conesus, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production of child pornography, conspiracy to produce child pornography, and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years.
According to the criminal complaint, in February 2026, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a CyberTip that a file containing suspected child pornography was uploaded to Google Photos and a Google Drive Account, by an individual with the username “Don Coty.” The CyberTip was forwarded to the New York State Police (NYSP) and subsequently traced to Donald and Megan Coty.
On June 23, 2026, NYSP investigators executed a search warrant at the couple’s Marrowback Road residence, seizing 13 electronic items, including two hard drives, two laptops, six cellphones, LG Cellphone, and three USB drives. An initial review of one of the hard drives recovered 1.3 million image and video files. Of the image and video files reviewed so far, over 174,000 files contained suspected child pornography, including images and videos with two minor victims and the defendants.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact the New York State Police at (585) 398-4100 or [email protected]
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola. The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Patrone and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher.
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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Buffalo man pleads guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanylRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Giovanni Rosa, 32, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to narcotics conspiracy before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.
Between January and February 2025, Rosa conspired with others to sell fentanyl in the Buffalo area. Investigators conducted three controlled purchases of fentanyl from Rosa between January 30 and February 27, 2025. For each of the controlled purchases, Rosa would acquire approximately an ounce of fentanyl from his source of supply.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo/Rochester comprises agents and officers from HSI, the FBI, DEA, ATF, and IRS-CI, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett Fitzsimmons. The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for November 16, 2026, before Judge Sinatra.
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Buffalo man pleads guilty to burning down the old PinkRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that John W. Burns, 42, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to arson of a building used in interstate commerce before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
In the early morning hours of June 17, 2024, the Buffalo Fire Department (BFD) responded to the scene of a fire at 223 Allen Street, a restaurant/bar known as The Old Pink. The building was engulfed in flames and was ultimately destroyed. Subsequent investigation by the Buffalo Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire had been set deliberately. Investigators recovered a blue propane plumbers torch from the rear of the building. Video evidence showed an individual in the rear of the building near the origin of the fire. The individual couldn’t be identified but appeared to be wearing a dark colored jacket with some sort of emblem on the left arm and green and white sneakers. The video evidence also shows that prior to the start of the fire, the individual brought two white garbage bags to the back of the building and was looking through the garbage totes. The individual is then seen walking away from the area of origin and a short time later, a visible fire can be seen.
Subsequent investigation determined that Burns was at the Old Pink earlier in the evening and had a confrontation with an individual formerly contracted to work security for The Old Pink. The former security officer told law enforcement that he had confronted Burns after a female patron complained that Burns had touched her inappropriately. Burns was asked to leave but refused. A fight ensued and Burns stated: “I’ll be back (expletive), I’ll burn that (expletive) down, ain’t nobody going to have a job.”
Investigators reviewed the security footage of the fight at The Old Pink with the owner of the Essex St. Pub, a restaurant located at 530 Rhode Island Street in Buffalo. The owner identified Burns as the individual who had the confrontation with the former security guard. The owner recognized Burns because he previously employed him at the Essex St. Pub.
Investigators also reviewed the security footage with two associates of Burns, both of whom identified him as the individual walking away from The Old Pink shortly after the fire began. Law enforcement interviewed one of the associates, who provided text messages that he received from Burns in the early morning hours of June 17, 2024. After describing what appeared to be the fight at The Old Pink, Burns stated, “Guerrilla mode on” and “Guerrilla BuffL9 is a go.” The conversation continued:
Burns: Bail me out if I don’t call you at noon. Therz a fund.
Time Stamp Mon, June 17 at 5:57 a.m.
Associate: You’re killing me bro trying to sleep
Associate: What is going on
Burns: Nothing. Made my bed. Gonna defend it to the death at this point
Associate: See that is the problem and I have no idea what you’re talking about. You don’t give me any details you just say things. what are you talking about? What bed what are you doing? What happened?
Burns: Call or signal. Text bad
Burns: Whatever they probably a footage
Burns: Really though I can’t just say all the things that will later be investigated here
Burns: I’m going to the er….
In the early morning hours of August 13, 2024, at 6:03 a.m., Burns was observed on video setting a fire in the parking lot of the Essex St. Pub, which was quickly extinguished by fire department members. Buffalo Fire Marshals determined that the origin of the fire was a pile of books that had been placed near the owner’s personal vehicle. The owner told fire investigators that he received a text message the previous night indicating that Burns had been denied entry to the pub due to disruptive behavior. The owner identified Burns on video as the person carrying a pile of books in his arms towards the rear parking lot, lighting the books on fire, and then leaving the area.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard P. Antoine. The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Bryan DiGirolamo, Special Agent-in-Charge; Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Michael J. Keane; Buffalo Fire Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel J. Pizarro; and Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erika Shields.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 27, 2026, before Judge Arcara.
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Prior felon facing new felony charge following incident at large street partyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Anthony Dean, 24, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a weapon, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, on July 15, 2026, at approximately 10 p.m., Buffalo Police and the FBI responded to a large, unruly street party at Eddie Dawson Park on Roetzer Street in Buffalo. When officers and agents arrived, they were met with a large crowd of individuals in the street. One law enforcement officer observed Dean reach towards his waist band with his right hand and retrieve a firearm as he turned away from the responding officers to flee the scene. An officer announced “gun,” and began chasing Dean on foot, accompanied by multiple other officers. As Dean was apprehended, he was observed throwing the firearm in the direction of a responding New York State Police trooper, striking the trooper in the leg with the firearm. The recovered firearm was a loaded semi-automatic handgun. Dean was convicted of a felony in Erie County Court in April 2024 and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Dean made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Michael J. Romer and was held pending a detention hearing on July 21, 2026.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erika Shields, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II.
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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Ohio woman pleads guilty to meth chargeRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Celina Serva aka Ce Ce, 27, of Akron, OH, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
On or about April 3, 2025, law enforcement observed a vehicle, driven by Serva, arrive in the driveway of a house known for drug activity. Serva got out of the vehicle and approached the front door. When law enforcement pulled in behind her vehicle, Serva immediately returned to her vehicle and threw a bag back inside the vehicle. Four children and Serva’s mother were inside the vehicle at the time. Law enforcement executed a federal search warrant on the vehicle and recovered 960 grams of methamphetamine inside the bag Serva had thrown into the vehicle.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Forster and the Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief Daniel Ingrao.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 11, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Sinatra.
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Buffalo business owner charged with bank fraud for defrauding customers out of more than a million dollarsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jason Knobloch, 56, of Lancaster, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with bank fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, since February 2021, Knobloch and others have been carrying out a scheme involving the fraudulent sales of forklifts and other similar equipment, claiming to sell these items through various companies that they controlled. The companies included KJJK Equipment Sales d/b/a Kelly Lift Equipment and Clover Lift Equipment d/b/a Lifts 4 Less. Victims conducted online searches for equipment and would either contact, or be contacted by, employees of Knobloch’s companies. Cost negotiations were conducted and once an agreement was reached, victims were provided with payment instructions. However, after ordering and paying for the equipment, it was either never delivered or, in rare instances, equipment of lesser value was sent instead of what was actually ordered.
When victims contacted Knobloch’s businesses regarding their orders, they were initially given various excuses about why the equipment had not been delivered. Eventually, the companies stopped responding to victim emails and phone calls altogether. In the rare instance equipment was delivered, serial numbers for the delivered equipment did not match the serial numbers for the ordered equipment and the hours on the delivered equipment were much higher than what was advertised. Partial and full refunds occurred occasionally, but typically only after the company was confronted and advised that legal action was forthcoming.
In total, Knobloch and his co-conspirators have defrauded approximately 32 victims, resulting in more than a million dollars in fraud loss. The investigation also identified additional fraud attempts in which Knobloch sought to deposit checks utilizing customers’ bank account information without the customers’ knowledge and consent and long after the victims first attempted to purchase equipment. For example, in December 2021, the owner of Plumb Level and Square sent a $59,900.00 check to Lifts 4 Less, which was cashed on December 21, 2021, but the equipment was never delivered. In August 2022, approximately eight months later, the owner stated that an attempt was made to cash a check, made out to Knobloch, utilizing the owner’s bank account information. Another attempt to deposit $59,900.00 utilizing the banking information of Plumb Level and Square was made in September 2022. Several more similar attempts were made to deposit checks totaling $27,000.00, $22,600.00, and $28,400.00, utilizing customers’ bank account information without their knowledge. Impacted financial institutions included Bank of America, Citizens Bank, and Good Neighbors Federal Credit Union.
Knobloch was ordered released on home confinement following a detention hearing this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A. C. Penrose. The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Anthony Patrone and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr.
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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Alabama man pleads guilty to his role in international drug trafficking ring involving pharmaceuticalsRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Leeladhar H. Tandel, 44, of Mobile, AL, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Between July 2024 March 2025, Tandel conspired with others to sell Tapentadol, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Carisoprodol, and Zolpidem. During the conspiracy, MEDDZONLINE.COM, PHARMACYSTORESONLINE.com, and related websites were part of a larger organized drug trafficking organization operating domestically and internationally using similar versions of the same website under different domain names. After orders were received, the organization sent bulk shipments of drugs via international mail to a US based bulk re-shipper. The drugs were then sent to smaller re-shippers, who were paid for each package they mailed out to customers.
Tandel was a smaller re-shipper. In June 2024, the DEA Buffalo District Office became aware of Tandel operating in the Mobile, Alabama region. On June 6, 2024, DEA Buffalo conducted an undercover purchase of 60 Zolpidem pills at a cost of $489.60 on PHARMACYSTORESONLINE.com. In May 2025, law enforcement recovered 40 packages that had originated in Summerdale, AL, which had previously been mailed out by Tandel. The packages included nine parcels containing 1,620 suspected Tramadol pills; 14 parcels containing 2,100 suspected Zolpidem pills; 13 parcels containing 2,100 suspected Alprazolam pills; and four parcels containing 1,080 suspected Tapentadol pills. The packaging was indicative of shipments being mailed out to customers of the online websites. Labels showed the scope of customers spanning the entire country and individuals such as Tandel played a key role in aiding the online websites to provide controlled substances to their customers in the USA.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Emergency Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti. The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division. Additional assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Offices in St. Louis, MO, Atlanta, GA, and Mobile, AL.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2026, before Judge Arcara.
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Suspected gang member and prior felon arrested, charged with drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Otis Williams a/k/a Skino, 39, Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of drug trafficking, and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, which carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of life.
According to the criminal complaint, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Buffalo Police Department’s Gang Intelligence Unit have been investigating the criminal activities of the Black Soprano Family (BSF) Gang, a violent street gang operating in and around the City of Buffalo. The FBI has identified numerous gang members as well as gang territory located on the east side of Buffalo. BSF members have been arrested by several police departments for violent criminal acts, including drug and firearm trafficking. They commit violent criminal acts to protect gang-controlled territory and associated houses. Williams and others have been identified as suspected gang members, in part because of various gang-related tattoos indicating gang membership and their associations with other known BSF gang members. Law enforcement has also determined that Williams is a narcotics trafficker who supplies various individuals within the Western District of New York.
On July 14, 2026, investigators executed a search warrant at William’s Ericson Avenue residence, seizing a handgun, approximately 88 grams of crack cocaine, quantities of suspected cocaine and fentanyl, suspected ecstasy pills, drug paraphernalia, and three cell phones. Williams was convicted of felony charges in 2008, 2015, and 2016, and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm
Williams made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained pending a detention hearing on July 21, 2026.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Louis A. Testani, Katerina Powers and Joshua A. Violanti. The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erika Shields.
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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Rochester man going to prison for 12 years on drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Todd J. Romig, 29, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 kilograms or more of marijuana, and possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Between June 2024, and April 10, 2025, Romig conspired with others to sell marijuana. He obtained multi-pound quantities of high-end marijuana and resold it to customers at a markup. On April 10, 2025, Rochester Police Officers responded to a report of shots fired at a Monroe Avenue apartment building. Officers went to the second floor and heard someone yelling inside one of the apartments. They knocked on a door and Romig confirmed from inside that he had yelled. As officers made entry into the apartment, Romig was in an upstairs loft. He was directed to come down and was then detained while the officers cleared the apartment and looked for possible victims or other suspects. During their sweep, officers observed two large open cardboard boxes filled to the top with vacuum sealed packages of what appeared to be marijuana, spent bullet casings and a rifle. As a result, officers obtained a search warrant during which they seized 34 pounds of marijuana, ammunition, a loaded magazine, a loaded rifle, and $50,672 in cash, which were proceeds from prior sales of marijuana. During the investigation, another approximately 146 pounds of marijuana was seized from a Union Street residence in Spencerport, NY, where Romig also stored marijuana.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez. The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, and the Ogden Police Department, under the direction of Chief Travis Gray.
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Prior felon going to prison on drug and gun chargesRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Stacy Spencer, 60, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearm, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
In 2021, the DEA and Niagara Falls Police Department began an investigation into Spencer, which included four controlled purchases of cocaine. On May 2, 2022, law enforcement executed search warrants at Spencer’s residence and at an Ontario Avenue residence in Niagara Falls, which Spencer utilized for his drug trafficking related activities. During the execution of a search warrant at the Ontario Avenue residence, officers located a locked safe in the basement, which contained approximately 93.5 grams of cocaine, and a pistol. They also recovered approximately $6,385 in cash from Spencer. In October 1993 and October 2009, Spencer was convicted of felony crimes in Niagara and Erie Counties, respectively, and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler. The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division, and the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Nick Ligammari.
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Buffalo man sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for narcotics conspiracy, sentence to be served consecutive to previous murder sentenceRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Ernest Brown, a/k/a Wayne Perry, a/k/a Wayne Brown, 43, Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams of fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 175 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. Brown’s federal sentence will be served consecutive to the sentence of 25 years to life that he received after an Erie County Court jury convicted him of Murder, 2nd degree, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 2nd degree.
During the conspiracy, Brown was a source of supply for Joseph Zaso. Zaso met Brown through co-defendant James Jackson, a middleman for narcotics transactions. Brown met his co-conspirators at various locations in Buffalo, including Zaso’s and Jackson’s residences. At times, Jackson delivered fentanyl to Zaso on behalf of Brown. Joseph Zaso was previously charged and convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against James Jackson.
This case was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Emergency Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Forster, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James Quattrone.
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Amherst man going to prison for receipt of child pornographyRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Marcus Elliott, 40, of Amherst, NY, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 78 months in prison followed by 30 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
In September 2020, Elliott began to communicate with a 12-year-old female on Snapchat, during which the minor victim took a sexually explicit photograph and sent it to Elliott. In June 2025, following a disclosure by the minor victim, Elliott’s cellular telephone was searched, and the sexually explicit image of the minor victim was recovered. In addition, Elliott admits that he engaged in sexual activity with the minor victim on one occasion and requested that she produce child pornography on other occasions.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron J. Mango. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II, the West Seneca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Cosgrove, and the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief Scott Chamberlin.
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Suspected gang member arrested for possessing a machinegunRead the Press Release
BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Lorenzo Harris, 20, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with illegal possession of a machinegun, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Since 2024, the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force and the Buffalo Police Department’s Gang Intelligence Unit have been investigating the criminal activities of the Newburg 118 Drop Boys Gang, a violent street gang operating in and around the City of Buffalo. The FBI has identified numerous gang members as well as gang territory located on the east side of Buffalo. Members have been arrested by several police departments for violent criminal acts, including drug and firearm trafficking. Newburg 118 Drop Boys members commit violent criminal acts to protect gang-controlled territory and associated houses. Harris has been identified as a suspected gang member involved in firearm trafficking.
On July 9, 2026, a search warrant was executed at an apartment at 80 Silo City Row in Buffalo, during which Harris, who was observed with a firearm in his hand, attempted to flee from law enforcement. Harris was taken into custody, and law enforcement seized the firearm, which had a machinegun conversion attached.
Harris made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was detained pending a detention hearing on July 20, 2026.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine. The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erika Shield.
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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Rochester man going to prison for trafficking gunsRead the Press Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Todd L. Addison, 38, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted firearms trafficking, was sentenced to serve 87 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca.
On multiple occasions between March 2025 and August 27, 2025, Addison purchased as many as seven firearms, including one with an obliterated serial number, from Federal Firearms Licensees in Pennsylvania, transported them to New York, and sold them illegally to individuals in Rochester. Addison knew that at least one of the persons he sold the firearms to was a felon who intended to dispose of the firearm unlawfully.
On August 27, 2025, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Rochester Police Department Violent Crime Task Force executed federal search warrants at Addison’s Hudson Avenue residence and on a vehicle that he used to travel to and from Pennsylvania. During the search of the vehicle, law enforcement recovered a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, 56 rounds of ammunition, and pistol magazines. During the search of Addison’s residence, they found empty pistol boxes for various firearms, multiple black pistol holders, and a gun cleaning kit.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola. The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.
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