Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Charge

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Nelson Pacheco, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Burgasser, who is handling the case, stated that between December 2010 and April 4, 2011, the defendant conspired with co-defendant Dennis Berard to distribute cocaine in the Buffalo area. On June 30, 2011, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Pacheco’s residence and recovered three handguns, ammunition and approximately $18,000 in cash. 

Dennis Berard was convicted and sentenced. 

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Border Enforcement Security Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Bryan DalPorto, and the Niagara County Sheriff's department, under the direction of Sheriff James Voutour.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 2, 2016, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.