Three Individuals Charged In Drug Conspiracy

CONTACT:   Barbara Burns
PHONE:      (716) 843-5817 
FAX:          (716) 551-3051
                                             
BUFFALO, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Buffalo has indicted Chad Weishan, 28, Jessica Kazmark, 26, both of Buffalo, NY, and Julie Reed, 41, of Houston, TX on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute fentanyl and oxycodone, and carisoprodol (Soma) and alprazolam (Xanax). The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1,000,000 fine, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, Weishan and Kazmark obtained prescription medications Reed in Salamanca, NY. In exchange for a cut of the prescriptions, the defendants picked up the drugs, and shipped the partial scripts to Reed in Houston. On at least two occasions, the partial prescription medications were shipped to Reed at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Houston where she was employed. Julie Reed has not yet been taken into custody but efforts continue.

“This is the second prosecution by our Office today which seeks to combat the growing problem of illegal prescription drug abuse in our area,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul.

Weishan and Kazmark made an initial appearance on April 14, 2015 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Hugh B. Scott and were released on conditions. 

The criminal complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Buffalo and Houston Offices of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Division of Drug Enforcement, under the direction of Director Darren Cruzan, and the Salamanca Police Department, under the direction of Chief Troy Westfall.

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.