Lovejoy Barber Shop Used To Distribute Cocaine

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Stevie Alejandro, 31; Cleophus Dentmond a/k/a Face, age 28; Gilbert Guzman, age 48; and Catherine Ramos, age 29, all of Buffalo, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of a mixture or substance containing cocaine.  The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, since May 2017, the defendants, including Alejandro, the operator of Barberians Barber Shop located on East Lovejoy Steet, in Buffalo, NY were selling cocaine out of the barber shop.  The Buffalo Police Department received numerous complaints about suspected drug activity in the barber shop which is located across from Buffalo Public School No. 43, the Lovejoy Discovery School.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division;  the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda;  Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zak; and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard.    

Initial appearances were held before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy on November 16 and November 17, 2017.  The defendants were released on conditions except for Stevie Alejandro who requested a detention hearing which is scheduled for November 21, 2017. 
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.