Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty To Selling Cocaine

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
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BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Gilbert Guzman, 48, of Brooklyn, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who is handling the case, stated that between May 2017 and October 18, 2017, the defendant conspired with co-defendants Stevie Alejandro, Aaron Hill, Cleophus Dentmond, and Catherine Ramos, and others, to distribute cocaine in the Lovejoy District. 

On August 16, 2017, Guzman sold cocaine to an undercover police officer. Stevie Alejandro, who operated the Barberians Barber Shop at 1132 East Lovejoy Street, which is located directly across from Buffalo Public School #43, the Lovejoy Discovery School, provided the defendant with the cocaine for this transaction.

Stevie Alejandro, Aaron Hill, and Cleophus Dentmond were previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing. Charges are pending against Catherine Ramos. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zak; and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 18, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.