Niagara Falls man pleads guilty to meth charge

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Asaad Rivers, 36, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated that on March 7 and March 12, 2024, investigators conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Rivers in Niagara Falls. On March 26, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Rivers residence, during which they seized  a .22 caliber rifle and .22 caliber ammunition, and approximately 12 ounces of suspected methamphetamine and eight grams of suspected crack cocaine.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti, and CBP Air and Marine Operations, under the direction of Brian Manaher, Director of Marine Operations.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.  

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