New Jersey Man Indicted for Possessing Crack and Heroin with Intent to Distribute

PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK – Markell Reyes, age 19, of Jersey City, New Jersey, was indicted yesterday for possessing crack cocaine and heroin with the intent to distribute them.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Richard S. Hartunian; Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer, United States Border Patrol, Swanton Sector; and Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Division, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

According to a complaint filed on March 21, 2017, Reyes got out of a taxi in Ogdensburg, New York, and fled on foot after he encountered a Border Patrol agent who had been questioning the driver of the taxi. He was ultimately detained and a search of his bag, which was left in the taxi, revealed approximately 60 grams of crack, 250 bags of heroin, and a revolver.

On March 21, 2017, Reyes appeared in Plattsburgh, before United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro, and was detained pending a trial before United States District Court Judge David N. Hurd. If convicted on all counts, Reyes faces at least 5 years and up to 40 years in prison; a term of post-imprisonment supervision of at least 4 years and up to life; and a fine of up to $5 million. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol and DEA, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck.