Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Drug 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 Jonathan Ortiz, 23, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.  The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that law enforcement officers intercepted a package mailed from Puerto Rico to a residence on Hudson Street in Buffalo. The package contained a set of audio speakers, inside of which were four packets of cocaine weighing approximately one pound (one-half a kilogram). Ortiz and co-defendant Ivan Hernandez attempted to retrieve the package as it was delivered. The defendants were arrested after a sensor alerted that the package was opened.

Hernandez was convicted and sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Today’s 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 and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge of the Boston Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 24, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Wolford.