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Press Release

Jail Escapee's Brothers Sentenced on Drug Conspiracy Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York
 

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Jamar Mitchell, 27 and Jerrod Mitchell, 24, both of Rochester, N.Y., who were convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, were sentenced to 125 months and 70 months respectively by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Noto, who handled the case, stated that the defendants participated in a drug trafficking conspiracy along with their older brother Joseph Mitchell, who escaped from the Monroe County Jail after his arrest on drug trafficking charges. Joseph Mitchell was convicted of drug conspiracy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, money laundering conspiracy and escape and was sentenced to 25 years in prison  by Judge Geraci on June 26, 2013. 

            From 2008 until March 2011, Joseph, Jemar and Jerrod Mitchell were responsible for the large scale distribution of significant quantities of cocaine and cocaine base in the Rochester and Elmira, N.Y. During the execution of search warrants in connection with the arrest of Joseph and Jamar Mitchell, law enforcement seized large amounts of cash, jewelry, and two firearms. One of the handguns and over $500,000 in cash was secreted in a hidden trap in the base of a fish tank located at the Mitchell family residence.  

            After Joseph Mitchell's arrest on the drug and gun charges, he orchestrated an elaborate jail escape, which involved multiple individuals, and the smuggling of contraband into the Monroe County Jail.  Specifically, Mitchell arranged for a cellular telephone and saw blades, which were secreted inside the binding of a bible, to be smuggled into the jail.  Mitchell utilized the saw blades to cut the jail bars on the window of his cell and ultimately escaped with another inmate, Eddie Palmer, by breaking the exterior window and jumping to the ground. Several individuals who assisted Mitchell in his escape were also convicted including Eddie Palmer, Lakesia Binion, and Mathias Smith.

            In sentencing Jerrod and Jamar Mitchell Judge Geraci acknowledged Joseph Mitchell's larger role in the drug conspiracy, but noted Jerrod and Jamar Mitchell's participation in the narcotics conspiracy and stated that their cocaine distribution was "like distributing poison into the community."

"This case is another example which shows the success that is made possible by law enforcement at all levels, including federal, state and local, working together to rid the community of dangerous felons," said U.S. Attorney Hochul.

            The sentencings are the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Agency, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division, officers of the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Sheppard, The United States Marshals Service, under the direction of US Marshal Charles Salina and investigators of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn.

 

Updated December 9, 2014