Lackawanna Man Pleads Guilty To Drug Charges

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

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Jerry Rolon-Alvarez, 37, of Lackawanna, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Burgasser, who is handling the case, stated that in November 2014, a confidential source made a controlled purchase of heroin from Rolon-Alvarez. Prior to the controlled purchase, the defendant was observed departing 47 Colton Avenue in Lackawanna, and immediately after the controlled purchase, Rolon-Alvarez was observed returning to the Colton Avenue residence.

On November 29, 2014, members of the Lackawanna and Buffalo Police Departments executed a search warrant at 47 Colton Avenue and found Rolon-Alvarez on a bed in the living room. During the search of a cabinet in the kitchen, officers found a large plastic bag containing suspected cocaine, and two plastic wraps containing suspected heroin. There was also a digital scale with heroin residue and a box containing green glassine envelopes located in Rolon-Alvarez’s jacket. Additionally, $2,280 in U.S. currency was seized from the defendant’s pocket. Rolon-Alvarez was arrested by the Lackawanna Police Department.

The defendant will be arraigned on September 3, 2015 before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief James L. Michel.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Geraci.