West Seneca Man Pleads Guilty To Money Laundering Conspiracy

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
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BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Benjamin Golembiewski, 28, of West Seneca, N.Y., pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy, before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,600,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel, who is handling the case, stated that on August 22, 2014, the defendant shipped a package containing $77,000 in United States currency, which was marijuana sale proceeds, to a co-conspirator in Carlsbad, California.
On September 26, 2014, Drug Enforcement Administration agents executed a search warrant at Golembiewski’s residence, which was in Buffalo at the time, and seized $224,123 in United States currency, three firearms and ammunition, and a 65-inch television.
The plea is the result of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division, and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Police, under the direction of Chief George W. Gast.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 9, 2015, at 12:30 before Judge Arcara.