Cheektowaga Man Pleads Guilty To Selling Fentanyl

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Byron Cobb, aka Tone, 39, of Cheektowaga, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth T. Molisani and Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who are handling the case, stated that in July 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating the narcotics trafficking activities of the defendant. Between July 27, 2018, and February 13, 2018, investigators conducted 11 controlled purchases of heroin from Cobb. 

On February 20, 2018, investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Sidney Street residence in Buffalo. Officers seized multiple plastic bags containing suspected fentanyl, two digital scales, a strainer with suspected drug residue, and drug packaging materials.

The plea 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 Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Chief Byron Lockwood.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 25, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

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