Convicted Felon Going To Prison On Methamphetamine Charge Involving A Death

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jason Yelder, 39, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 135 months in prison and eight years supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that in 2017, Yelder was convicted of methamphetamine trafficking and sentenced to serve 20 months in prison and five years post-release supervision, which began on May 25, 2018. In February 2019, Yelder broke off all contact with probation personnel. In July 2019, the U.S. Marshal’s Service located Yelder at a hotel on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, he had rented and was using distribute methamphetamine. On July 15, 2019, Yelder was arrested and found to be in possession of 21 baggies containing a total of approximately 30 grams of between 98% and 99% pure methamphetamine. 

Subsequent investigation determined that on May 28, 2019, an individual identified as K.L. was found dead by the train tracks near 355 Lakefront Boulevard in Buffalo. Previously, K.L. had been at another hotel room rented by Yelder on Pearl Street. While at the hotel, the defendant gave K.L. a vial of liquid methamphetamine. The toxicology report for K.L. revealed methamphetamine in K.L.’s system, and the medical examiner concluded that, but for the methamphetamine in K.L.’s system, K.L. would not have died. The defendant admitted his role in the overdose death of K.L.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Timothy Foley, New York Field Division, and the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.

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