Suspected Gang Member Charged With Gun And Drug Charges

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Darmetrius Braggs, 18, of Buffalo, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years, a maximum of life and a $1,000,000 fine.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, Buffalo Police officers received information that the defendant robbed a Canisius College student at gun point on October 30, 2015 on Blaine Avenue in Buffalo. During the investigation, officers learned that Braggs would be at a party on Freund Avenue in Buffalo on November 7, 2015. Officers obtained an arrest warrant for Braggs charging him with Armed Robbery in the 1st Degree.

On November 7, 2015, officers contacted Braggs by cellular telephone and arranged an undercover purchase of marijuana. The defendant told the officers to meet him near Genesee Street and Freund Avenue in Buffalo to purchase the marijuana. As officers arrived at the location, Braggs fled on foot. Officers located the defendant inside 22 Freund Avenue. Officers also found a cellular telephone and multiple vials of what appeared to be marijuana near the rear entrance of the residence. In addition, officers also recovered a loaded pistol in the back yard of 22 Freund Avenue.

The pistol recovered by officers resembles a firearm the defendant posed with multiple times on social media websites.

The defendant appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy this afternoon for a detention hearing. He is being held pending continuation of today’s hearing on November 20, 2015. In moving for detention, the Government presented evidence that Braggs is a suspected member of the OTC (Only the Circle) Gang operating in Buffalo. If anyone has any information regarding this gang, please call police.   

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Delano A. Reid, New York Field Division. 

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.