Buffalo Man Convicted On State Murder Charge Pleads Guilty To Federal Heroin Charge

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that on January 4, 2018, Jeffrey Brown, 43, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribute, 100 grams or more of heroin before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and an $8,000,000 fine. As part of his guilty plea in federal court, the defendant also agreed to plead guilty in New York State Court for his role in a 2016 homicide.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that on November 17, 2016, law enforcement officers conducting a drug investigation requested that a cooperating individual place a controlled telephone call to Brown and order a specified quantity of heroin.

Shortly after the call was placed, the defendant and a female driver drove to the location at which the drugs were to be delivered. Brown was taken into custody as he walked on the front sidewalk. Officers seized a plastic bag containing suspected heroin after the defendant dropped the bag at the time of his apprehension. Subsequent investigation determined that the defendant had previously purchased 700 grams of heroin.

This morning, Brown pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the 1st Degree in New York State Court.

The plea 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, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zack.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 19, 2018 before Judge Vilardo.

Brown is scheduled to be sentenced in State Court on April 23, 2018.