Lockport Man Pleads Guilty To Possession Of Cocaine With The Intent To Distribute It

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

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today Gilberto Marchese, 38 of Lockport, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $1,000,000. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin G. Bish, who is handling the case, stated that between December 2015, and March 27, 2019, the defendant unlawfully possessed with intent to distribute cocaine.   On March 27, 2019, law enforcement conducted a search warrant at the defendant’s residence at 150 Grand Street, Lockport, New York, and recovered approximately 29.10 grams of cocaine, a grinder with suspected marijuana residue, and two digital scales.  As part of his plea, the defendant admitted that the aggregate amount of cocaine he distributed over this time-period exceeded 500 grams.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly; the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Niagara County Acting Sheriff Michael Filicetti; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

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