Long Island Man Sentenced to 18 Years’ Imprisonment for Cocaine Trafficking and Arson

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Matthew Aichroth was sentenced by United States District Judge Denis R. Hurley to 18 years’ imprisonment for conspiring to possess and distribute cocaine and committing an arson in furtherance of that conspiracy.  The Court also ordered Aichroth to forfeit approximately $3.4 million as proceeds of the cocaine trafficking conspiracy.  Aichroth pleaded guilty to the charges in July 2017.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New York Division; Geraldine Hart, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD); Errol D. Toulon, Jr., Suffolk County Sheriff; and Paul Johnson, Chief of Police, Hempstead Police Department (HPD), announced the sentence.

“Aichroth used arson, guns and threats of violence to perpetrate his crimes while he poured dangerous drugs into our communities,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “Thanks to the outstanding work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, it’s his freedom and future that have now gone up in flames.”  Mr. Donoghue thanked the Suffolk County Police Department for their assistance during this investigation.

“This sentencing summarizes the gravity of Aichroth’s crimes,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Hunt.  “By heading a bi-coastal drug trafficking operation, Aichroth pushed product into Long Island communities and users’ hands.”

“Today’s sentencing is an example of the ongoing effort by the Suffolk County Police Department and our law enforcement partners, including the Eastern District of New York, to protect our residents from drug and firearm trafficking," stated SCPD Commissioner Hart.  "The Suffolk County Police Department has a zero tolerance policy towards this behavior, and those involved should know if they commit crimes in the county that they will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest of the law. Today’s news provides closure to those who been affected by Mr. Aichroth’s actions as he is being held accountable for his crimes.”

 “This defendant utilized violence in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities,” stated Suffolk County Sheriff Toulon.  “The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office is committed to continuing to work with our law enforcement partners in support of these types of investigations to help rid the community of the problems that have been plaguing our neighborhoods and our nation.”

“The defendant’s arrest demonstrates the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement officers,” stated HPD Chief Johnson.  “Keeping dangerous individuals off the street and protecting our citizens is our interminable mission.” 

 According to court filings and facts presented during court proceedings, between February 1, 2015 and September 26, 2016, Aichroth engaged in a bi-coastal cocaine trafficking conspiracy.  As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers tracked Aichroth and his associates from Long Island to California and observed a rental car that Aichroth used being loaded onto a car carrier in Downey, California.  The officers tracked that car to a shipping lot in New Jersey, where they observed Aichroth retrieve a duffle bag containing more than 10 kilograms of cocaine from the vehicle.  The cocaine was then transported by a co-conspirator to a residence in Islip, New York, where it was seized by law enforcement.  During the execution of a search warrant at the Islip location, law enforcement recovered seven firearms, ammunition, drug packaging material, numerous pills and approximately 200 grams of cocaine.  A search of an apartment that Aichroth used in California yielded 234 grams of cocaine, a 9-millimeter pistol and ammunition. 

During the conspiracy, Aichroth set fire to a vehicle parked in front of the residence of an associate in an attempt to intimidate the associate and prevent him from cooperating with law enforcement.  The fire also caused extensive damage to the associate’s residence. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Long Island Criminal Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley T. King and Madeline O’Connor are in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

MATTHEW AICHROTH
Age:  35
East Islip, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-605 (S-1) (DRH)