Hilton Man Sentenced on Drug Charges

          ROCHESTER, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Domenico Lonardo, 36, of Hilton, N.Y., who was convicted of manufacturing 100 or more marijuana plants, was sentenced to 60 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Moynihan, who handled the case, stated that Lonardo was arrested on April 15, 2010, after members of law enforcement executed a search warrant at his residence at 199 Walker Road, in Hilton. Upon entering the location, officers found a sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation.  During the search, officers located and seized approximately 130 marijuana plants in various stages of growth, marijuana cultivation equipment, including growing lights, generators, exhaust fans, and automatic timers, liquid Lysergic Acid Diethylamid, or “LSD,” as well as other controlled substances. Officers also seized approximately $690.00 in United States currency, a shotgun with a barrel that had been shortened and ammunition. 

The sentencing 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 brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of James C. Spero, Special Agent in Charge, and the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), under the direction of Major Wayne C. Olson.