Rochester Man Convicted Of Drug Trafficking And Gun Possession Offenses

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

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal jury has convicted Robert Swinton, 38, of Rochester, NY, of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, maintaining a drug involved premises, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes, and possession of firearms and ammunition as a previously convicted felon. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $2,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Katelyn Hartford and Charles E. Moynihan, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that on October 16, 2012, members of the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and Violent Crime Task Force, pursuant to a search warrant, searched Swinton’s residence at 562 Maple Street in Rochester. As officers entered the residence, they saw co-defendant David Jones run from the kitchen into the living room. Officers arrested Swinton while he was standing in a doorway to a bedroom adjacent to the living room. A third defendant, Danielle Bowen, was also arrested in the living room.      

Officers searched the location and found a rifle, which was loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, and a revolver, which was loaded with six rounds of ammunition. Both firearms were found under the bedsheets and pillow in the defendant’s bedroom.