Buffalo Woman Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Charge

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Danielle Barton, 31, of Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie G. Foschio to money laundering conspiracy. The charge carries a maximum  penalty of 20 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, or both.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who is handling the case, stated that between June 2008 through July 2010, Barton conspired with others to deposit the proceeds from the drug trafficking activities of Will Johnson and others into her bank account. The defendant deposited the cash to conceal and disguise the source and ownership of those funds.

            Barton was arrested along with 22 others. A total of 18 defendants have been convicted. Will Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, kilograms of cocaine, and money laundering conspiracy. He will be sentenced  on July 29, 2013.

            The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of  Special Agent- in-Charge Toni M. Weirauch, and the Niagara County Drug Enforcement Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff James Votour.