Two men plead guilty for their roles in cocaine and fentanyl conspiracy

BUFFALO, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that David Washington, 45, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1,000,000. In addition, Co-defendant Eleazar Martinez Medina, 56, of Los Angeles, CA, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Judge Schroeder to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy C. Lynch and Evan K. Glaberson, who are handling the case, stated that beginning in February 2019, Washington and Martinez Medina conspired with others to sell cocaine and fentanyl. Washington resided at and maintained control over a residence on Bennett Village Terrace. In February 2019, Martinez Medina traveled to Buffalo from California and resided with Washington. On February 15, 2019, Martinez Medina went to Chili, NY, picked up approximately 25 kilograms of cocaine from a truck driver, and traveled back to Buffalo. On February 19, 2019, Martinez Medina met with an individual working with the FBI, and stated that he had approximately $656,000, which was the proceeds from the sale of cocaine to a “black guy,” which was a reference to Washington. On February 22, 2019, Martinez Medina was stopped in California by the California Highway Patrol and found in possession of $658,380 in United States currency.

In February 2020, investigators executed a search warrant at Washington’s Bennett Village Terrace residence and recovered over $77,000 in cash. Further investigation determined that Washington was associated with and controlled other residences on Rogers Street and Bailey Avenue in Buffalo. On February 21, 2020, a search warrant was executed at the Rogers Street residence, during which law enforcement recovered approximately three kilograms of fentanyl, 329 grams of a fentanyl mixture, 223 grams of crack cocaine, 1,002 grams of cocaine, 893 grams of heroin, $246,775 in cash. Also on February 21, 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Bailey Avenue residence, during which they seized $151,350 in cash. The total amount of cash seized was $1,133,505, which represents the proceeds of drug trafficking. The investigation also included controlled purchases of fentanyl from Washington.

The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino, New York Field Division, Homeland Security investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alphonso Wright, and the California Highway Patrol.

Sentencing for both defendants will be scheduled at a later date.

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