News

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that 13 defendants were charged in two separate indictments with narcotics conspiracy. The following defendants are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years:

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Didi Zou, 39, a citizen of China, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.  

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Raymond Mason, 54, of Frewsburg, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession of obscene visual depictions following a prior conviction, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Steven L. Ploof, 48, of Greece, NY, who was convicted of threatening to assault a member of the immediate family of a Federal law enforcement officer with intent to impede with such law enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against such law enforcement officer on account of the performance of official duties, was sentenced to serve 14 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David J. Johnston, 57, of Olean, NY, who was convicted of distribution of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 188 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David Guest, 30, of Hilton, NY, pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and violating the terms of his federal supervised release before U.S. District Judge Merideth A. Vacca. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Zachary Guthrie, 32, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, was sentenced to serve 72 months in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Abdellah Belmili, a/k/a Dila Belmili, a/k/a SPOX, 26, a citizen of Algeria, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison. 

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Daniel Richter, 47, of Middle Island, NY, who was convicted of cyberstalking, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Philip Young, 31, of Olean, NY, who was convicted of distribution of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Anthony Franklin, 44, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life and a $5,000,000 fine. 

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that that James R. Muench Jr., 45, of Depew, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. to entering aircraft or airport area, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $100,000.