Buffalo Man Sentenced for Heroin Conspiracy

BUFFALO, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Antonio Almonte, 57, of Buffalo, N.Y., who was convicted of conspiring to possess and distribute more than one kilogram of heroin, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, to 70 months in prison.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who handled the case, stated that a criminal investigation began following a traffic stop and search conducted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in March 2012. Law enforcement officers found 2.4 kilograms of heroin in a truck and trailer, which was en route from Chicago to Buffalo. Almonte, co-defendant Luis Vazquez, and others were transporting the kilograms of heroin from Chicago for distribution in the Buffalo area.

            On May 24, 2013, Luis Vazquez was sentenced by Judge Arcara to 51 months in prison for conspiring to possess and distribute more than one kilogram of heroin.

            The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, under the direction of Colonel John Born.