Buffalo Man Arrested On Meth Charge

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today that William Fugate, 31, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 6, 2021, a search warrant was executed at a residence on Northumberland Avenue in Buffalo, during which the defendant was present. Law enforcement officers recovered approximately 13 ounces of suspected methamphetamine in a safe located in the master bedroom. The key to the safe was located on a table in the residence on Fugate’s car key ring. In addition, officers recovered a digital scale with white residue in a dresser in the bedroom where the suspected methamphetamine was located and a spoon with white residue on it in the safe.

The defendant made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was held pending a detention hearing on May 11, 2021.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by are the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Howard; the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Packard; Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.

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.

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