Tonawanda Man Pleads Guilty To Methylone 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 Alexander R. Filippone, 24, of Tonawanda, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, methylone, before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel, who is handling the case, stated that on three dates in February, March, and April 2013 the defendant sold methylone, which is sometimes sold on the street as “molly,” to an undercover police officer in commercial parking lots in Tonawanda and Amherst, NY.

The plea is the result of an investigation on the part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge J. Michael Kennedy, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Ceretto.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2016, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.