Buffalo Woman Pleads Guilty To Drug Conspiracy Charge

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

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Fannie Long, 53, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel, who is handling the case, stated that between January 2009 and September 26, 2013, the defendant conspired with co-defendant Sherylrica Quisenberry to distribute controlled substances. Long obtained fentanyl prescriptions from medical professionals which were then filled and sold by the defendant. In addition, Long obtained fraudulent prescriptions which were not written by medical professionals. The prescriptions were made out in the names of individuals engaged by the defendant. These individuals would fill the fraudulent prescriptions and then turn the controlled substances over to Long for further distribution. The controlled substances included Lortab, Xanax and Soma.

  Similar charges are pending against Sherylrica Quisenberry. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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

Sentencing is scheduled for April 15, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.