Press Release
Buffalo Woman Pleads Guilty To Selling Cocaine And Crack Cocaine
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
www.usdoj.gov/usao/nyw
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Danielle Ruger, 27, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura A. Higgins and Misha A. Coulson, who are handling the case, stated that in the early morning hours of June 3, 2018, the defendant was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by the Buffalo Police Department after it was observed committing traffic violations for excessive tinted windows and speeding. Co-defendant Brandon Cooley was driving the vehicle.
Officers searched the vehicle after detecting a strong odor of marijuana coming from it. Quantities of suspected cocaine and crack cocaine were recovered, along with marijuana, a scale, gloves, packaging, and seven cellphones.
Charges remain pending against Brandon Cooley. 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 plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 27, 2020, before Judge Wolford.
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Updated October 1, 2019
Topic
Drug Trafficking
Component