Eleven Charged In White Plains Federal Court With Cocaine Trafficking In Orange, Rockland, And Bronx Counties

           Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, New York Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Joseph A. D’Amico, the Superintendent of the New York State Police (“NYSP”), announced the unsealing yesterday of an indictment and two complaints charging a total of 11 defendants with allegedly engaging in the distribution of cocaine in and around Orange, Rockland, and Bronx Counties, New York.  Ten defendants were taken into custody on June 17 and June 18, 2015, and were presented in White Plains federal court on June 18 and June 19, 2015, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul E. Davison.

            U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated:  “These arrests strike at the heart of an entrenched group of alleged drug dealers.  Their alleged sales of narcotics in public locations affected communities in Orange County and surrounding areas.  We thank the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York State Police, and our many local law enforcement partners for their extraordinary efforts on this case.” 

            DEA Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt stated: “Wherever this alleged drug trafficking crew went, drug addiction allegedly followed. By joining forces and using investigative resources, law enforcement has arrested those responsible for selling cocaine throughout Orange County and our neighboring towns.”         

            NYSP Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said: “The partnership between the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York State Police and U.S. Attorney's Office has resulted in the arrests of these allegedly dangerous individuals. For more than a decade, these people allegedly sold large quantities of cocaine in our New York communities – a crime that we won't tolerate. The dedication of these law enforcement agencies and our local partners, the City of Middletown and Town of Warwick Police Departments, resulted in these charges and the seizure of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, and cash. I applaud our partners for the hard work that brought this operation, and its supply of drugs, to an end.” 

            As alleged in the Indictment and the Complaint unsealed today in White Plains federal court[1]:

United States v. Cheyenne Simpson, et al., 15 Cr. 370

            Between 2009 and 2015, CHEYENNE SIMPSON, MICHAEL BRANDS, LASHANTA MENDOZA, and EDWIN DELMORAL conspired to sell cocaine in Middletown, Goshen, and elsewhere.  During the course of the conspiracy, law enforcement officers observed the defendants selling cocaine to multiple buyers, some of whom were confidential informants working with the police.  Law enforcement officers using court-authorized wiretaps also recorded numerous conversations in which the defendants discussed trafficking in cocaine.

            Similarly, between 2013 and 2015, EDWIN DELMORAL, PEDRO BARBOSA, JAMES CHRISTIANO, GENNARO COSTAGLIOLA, JASON KEATING, and ROSA BARBOSA conspired to sell cocaine in Middletown and elsewhere.  During the course of the conspiracy, law enforcement also observed these defendants selling cocaine to multiple buyers, some of whom were confidential informants working with the police, and used court-authorized wiretaps to record numerous conversations in which these defendants discussed trafficking in cocaine.

United States v. Eliseo Llanos, 15 Mag. 2086

            Between 2012 and 2015, ELISEO LLANOS sold over five kilograms of cocaine operating out of Mountaindale, New York.  LLANOS sold as much as a quarter kilogram to a single buyer every two to four weeks.  Law enforcement officers using court-authorized wiretaps also recorded conversations in which Llanos agreed to supply another cocaine trafficker who supplied street-level cocaine dealers.

United States v. Thomas Garcia, 15 Mag. ___

            Since in or about 2001, THOMAS GARCIA sold over five kilograms of cocaine in Bronx and Rockland Counties.  On or about June 18, 2015, DEA agents and NYSP investigators seized approximately 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, over one kilogram of heroin, and a loaded firearm from GARCIA’s car and apartment in the Bronx.

            The defendants in United States v. Simpson, et al. face maximum terms of life in prison and mandatory minimum terms of 10 years in prison.  The defendant in United States v. Llanos also faces a maximum term of life in prison and a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison.  The defendant in United States v. Garcia faces a maximum term of life in prison and a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison.

            The statutory maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencings of the defendants will be determined by the Court.

            A chart containing the names of the defendants who were arrested today, and the charges and maximum penalties they face, is attached.      

            Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York State Police, the City of Middletown Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, and the Town of Warwick Police Department.

            This investigation was conducted by the DEA’s Westchester Task Force, the New York State Police CNET Campbell Hall, and the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistance was provided by Town of Warwick Police Department, the Vernon Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, Sussex County Drug Trask Force, City of Middletown Police Department, Sullivan County District Attorney's Office, and Fallsburgh Police Department.   The DEA’s Westchester Resident Office comprises agents and officers of the DEA, Westchester Police Department, New Rochelle Police Department, Yonkers Police Department, Mount Vernon Police Department, White Plains Police Department and Port Chester Police Department..

            The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica K. Feinstein and Hagan Scotten are in charge of the prosecution.

            The charges contained in the Indictment and the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.