Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Conspiracy 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 Angelo Kidd, 31, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that between August 2018 and June 18, 2019, the defendant conspired with others to sell crack cocaine. On August 31, 2018, Buffalo Police Officers executed a search warrant at 67 and 76 Townsend Street in Buffalo. Kidd was detained along with Charles Washington, John Sanders, Jr., and others. Officers recovered approximately 158 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 76 grams of marijuana, and items used to process and package crack cocaine for distribution. These items included cooking pans, "cut" of white powder, sandwich bags, and a digital scale that contained crack cocaine residue. Officers also recovered approximately $3,163 in United States currency.

On January 21, 2019, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department conducted a stop of a vehicle driven by John Sanders, Jr. The defendant was in the passenger seat. A search of the vehicle recovered 462 grams of marijuana in a vacuum sealed bag in the trunk, and approximately $3,000 to $4,000 in United States currency.

A total of 10 defendants were charged in this case, Kidd is the first to be convicted. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The complaint 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 City of Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Strassburg.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 26, 2020, before Judge Arcara.

# # # #