Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Drug and Gun Charges

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Walter Porter, 30, of Rochester, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. The firearm offense carries a maximum penalty of 10 of years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both and the drug trafficking charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years and a fine of $1,000,000 or both.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Noto, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant was arrested on January 31, 2013 after law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence at 24 OK Terrace in Rochester. During the search, officers found a loaded 12 gauge shotgun and a quantity of heroin. The defendant was previously convicted of a firearms felony in Monroe County Court in November 2002.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division and members of the Greater Rochester Narcotics Enforcement Task Force (GRANET), under the direction of Lieutenant Gerald Smith.

            Sentencing is scheduled for August 1, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Larimer.