Two Men Plead Guilty In Drug Conspiracy

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 Tomas Figueroa, 31, and Julio Sanchez, 30, both of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that on February 26, 2014, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at a residence on West Delavan Avenue. During the search, officers recovered more than 100 grams of heroin, drug packaging paraphernalia, and $4,000 in cash. Figueroa and Sanchez were arrested at the scene. Also arrested at the scene was a third co-defendant Elias Figueroa.

The charges against Figueroa and two other individuals who ware also arrested that day and are alleged to have been in the heroin distribution conspiracy which brought heroin to Buffalo from New York City remain pending. 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.

The pleas 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.

Sentencing for Tomas Figueroa is scheduled for May 3, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., and for Julio Sanchez on May 4, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., both before Judge Vilardo.