Related Content
Press Release
CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ramone Westbrook, 27, Rico Freeman, 33, Corey Bradberry, 34, all of Niagara Falls, NY, and Darius Dix, aka Darius Jenkins, 27, of Lockport, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who is handling the case, stated that between April 2016, and May 2017, the defendants are accused of operating a wide-scale cocaine distribution network in Niagara Falls and Lockport. According to the complaint, the investigation utilized court ordered wiretaps as well as a dozen undercover purchases.
Law enforcement officers executed seven search warrant on houses and vehicles utilized by the defendants. During the search warrants, officers recovered a quantity of cocaine, marijuana, $75,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia.
The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and being held pending detention hearings on June 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
“By following the destructive trail of these violent traffickers, law enforcement uncovered and shut down a regional drug source of supply,” stated DEA Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt. “I commend our law enforcement partners on their diligent efforts in this investigation.”
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division; the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James D. Robnett, New York Field Office; the Niagara County Drug Task Force and Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff James Voutour; the Lockport Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Niethe; the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Bryan DalPorto; and the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Caroline A. Wojtaszek.
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.