Jury Convicts Amherst Man of Drug Charges

       BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Jack Reid, III, 46, of Amherst, N.Y., was convicted following a jury trial before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $20,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas S. Duszkiewicz and John M. Alsup, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that beginning in 1990 through April 2012, the defendant utilized family members and others as drug couriers and distributors of multiple kilograms of cocaine. The cocaine was obtained from sources in Rochester, N.Y., New York City and Atlanta, Georgia. The cocaine was distributed in various areas throughout Erie and Niagara Counties. Throughout the course of the conspiracy, the defendant acquired and distributed in excess of 70 kilograms of cocaine.

In a forfeiture proceeding, the Government will be seeking $1,000,000 in United States currency including two residences owned by the defendant in Williamsville N.Y. and Amherst N.Y. as well as three properties in the City of Buffalo.

The verdict is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Michel, and the Lockport Police Department, under the direction of Chief Lawrence Eggert.