Penfield Man Sentenced for Trafficking Heroin

         ROCHESTER, N.Y.– U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Alfredo Valentin, Jr., a/k/a Alfredo Valentine, a/k/a Fred Valentin, a/k/a Fred Vegas, 44, of Penfield, N.Y., who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of one kilogram or more of heroin, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and 10 years supervised release by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer. Valentin was also ordered to forfeit $74,690 in U.S. currency, a 9mm pistol, and rounds of ammunition seized during the investigation.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, who handled the case, stated that Valentin purchased large quantities of heroin in New York City which he transported back to Rochester. The defendnat then processed, packaged, and resold the heroin in various quantities. Valentin was arrested January 16, 2013 while operating a rental car and was in possession of over 130 grams of heroin and $2,000 in U.S. currency. During the execution of a search warrant that same day at the defendant’s Plank Road residence in Penfield, law enforcement officers recovered a Hi-Point 9mm pistol with a defaced serial number, rounds of 9mm ammunition, and heroin trafficking paraphernalia. The investigation continued after Valentin was arrested and, on February 13, 2013, agents seized $72,690 in the defendant’s drug proceeds during the execution of a search warrant at 140 Central Park in Rochester.

            The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge, Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division, with assistance provided by the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (GRANET), and the Rochester Police Department under the direction of Chief James M. Sheppard, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Sandra Doorley, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge, Scott Heagney.