Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Money Laundering Conspiracy

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Justin Stevens, 31, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel, who is handling the case, stated that between January 2014 and September 30, 2014, the defendant obtained marijuana via commercial shipments from co-conspirator, James Parish, of Carlsbad, California. In turn, Stevens deposited $38,100 in marijuana proceeds into Parish’s bank account in Buffalo. The defendant also provided $10,000 in proceeds from marijuana distribution to co-conspirator Benjamin Golembiewski to be forwarded on to Parish.

Both Parish and Golembiewski have been convicted and are awaiting sentencing.

The plea is the result of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division, and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police, under the direction of Chief George W. Gast.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 27, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.