Buffalo Man Arrested On Drug Charges

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a four count indictment charging Hassan Patton, 47, of Buffalo, NY, with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl.  The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten , who is handling the case, stated that from December 2011 through January 2012, Patton sold fentanyl patches to an undercover police officer multiple times.

The defendant was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was released custody.  He is due back in court on October 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.

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.