Two Buffalo Men Indicted In Conspiracy To Distribute Fentanyl Which Resulted In Overdose Death

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

Buffalo, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging Dontrell Wise, 32, and Lamario Jones, 31, both of Buffalo, NY, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, butyryl fentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine. The indictment alleges that the conspiracy generally, and Wise specifically, between mid-November of 2017 and November 23, 2017, distributed fentanyl which caused the death of an individual identified as A.J. The “death results” charges are punishable by a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that a third co-defendant, Jerell Weathersby pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute butyryl fentanyl which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. 
           
            The superseding indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin P. Lyons, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt.

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