Fairport Man Pleads Guilty To Drug And Gun Charges

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

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Michael Loria, 33, of Fairport, N.Y., pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, oxycodone and being an unlawful user of oxycodone in possession of a firearm. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Moynihan, who is handling the case, stated that in June of 2103, members of the Drug Enforcement Administration commenced an investigation into the narcotics trafficking activities of the defendant. As part of that investigation, law enforcement officers made five controlled purchases of oxycodone pills from Loria between August 2013 and September 2013. 

On September 26, 2013, the date of the final pre-arranged deal, agents met with Loria in the Target parking lot on Nine Mile Point Road, in Penfield, NY. The defendant was arrested after he arranged to sell 96 oxycodone pills to an undercover police officer in exchange for $1,728.00. A loaded handgun was found in the glove compartment of Loria’s car, which he drove to the deal.     

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 19, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.