Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Drug And Gun Charges

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Leon R. Williams, 39, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $1,000,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura A. Higgins, Jeremiah E. Lenihan, and Joshua A. Violanti, who are handling the case, stated that between October 17 and November 22, 2017, the defendant sold heroin on five separate dates to an individual working with investigators.

On November 29, 2017, a New York State search warrant was executed at the Williams’ Texas Street residence in Buffalo. Investigators recovered heroin and cocaine, scales, razor blades, cutting agents, and $73,743 in U.S. currency, which was concealed inside of a vacuum cleaner, a backpack, and within a drop ceiling between two bedrooms. In addition, a Glock, .40 caliber firearm was recovered along with a magazine containing 10 rounds of ammunition loaded within the firearm.

The plea 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 Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 24, 2019, before Judge Wolford.

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