Salamanca Woman Sentenced On Heroin Chargeand Her Co-Defendant Pleads Guilty To Heroin Charge

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

BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Amber Crouse, of Salamanca, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, was sentenced to time served (17 months) by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A, Wolford.

In addition, Crouse’s co-defendant, Carlos Laboy, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, also before Judge Wolford. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Burgasser, who is handling the prosecution of the case, stated that between February 2013 and February 2015, Crouse and Laboy participated in a heroin conspiracy. The two defendants sold heroin to confidential sources including one individual who claimed that Crouse and Laboy sold heroin to the individual every day for one year.

On February 5, 2015, a search warrant was executed at a residence on Gorton Street in Buffalo. Crouse and Laboy were both present. Officers recovered numerous baggies that contained heroin residue and three cellular telephones. One of the cellular telephones was a number that the confidential sources would contact to set up drug transactions.    

The sentencing and plea are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division.

Carlos Laboy will be sentenced on March 14, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.