Buffalo Man Going To Prison For Five Years For Possessing A Gun While Selling Drugs

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that James Lee, 27, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, was sentenced to serve 60 months in prison by Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Misha A. Coulson, who handled the case, stated that in March 2019, the defendant sold and distributed fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine to others in the Buffalo area. During this time, Lee possessed various firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking in order to protect himself, his drugs, and his drug proceeds.

On March 13, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Oakmont Avenue residence. During the search, they recovered two firearms, one stolen; ammunition; small bags of suspected crack cocaine and cocaine; a bag of suspected fentanyl; $546.00 in cash; and three digital scales.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Skretny.

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