Rochester Man Sentenced On Drug And Gun Charges

 ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Alex Flecha, 28, of Rochester, N.Y., who was convicted of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to five years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa. The defendant also forfeited any interest he had in $25,140.00 that was seized, as drug trafficking proceeds.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Moynihan, who handled the case, stated that on October 4, 2010, members of the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team executed a narcotics search warrant at Flecha’s residence on LaGrange Avenue, in Rochester. The warrant was executed following surveillance of Flecha entering and exiting the residence and departing the location in a vehicle. Officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and the defendant was taken into custody. Flecha surrendered the key to his residence to assist in the warrant execution. Officers recovered approximately 500 grams of cocaine, and other items commonly associated with narcotics trafficking, including numerous unused clear bags and a bag of cutting agent. Also found was a .45 caliber H&K semi-automatic pistol, a loaded magazine and additional loose ammunition. Officers also seized $25,140 in United States currency. 

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, under the direction of Lieutenant Gerald Smith, Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Office, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Michael Ciminelli.