Dominican Replublic Native Sentenced on Heroin Distribution Charges

Buffalo, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Elvis Espinosa, 46, of Buffalo, N.Y., who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.  In addition, the defendant was ordered deported to the Dominican Republic after his sentence is completed.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Clare Kane, who handled the case, stated that the defendant was arrested in August 2009 for his involvement in obtaining heroin from suppliers in New York City for re-distribution in Buffalo. Police made undercover drug purchases from Espinosa and his associates which led to the wiretapping of Espinosa’s cell phone conversations.

Espinosa was arrested along with eight others. All nine defendants have been convicted.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Brian R. Crowell, Special Agent in Charge, New York Region; and Special Agents of the New York State Police, under the direction of Joseph A. D'Amico, Superintendent.