BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Michael Codelia, 47, of Amherst, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, oxycodone stolen from the Middleport Family Health Center and Pharmacy on Aug. 12, 2012, during a burglary. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Pimintel, the defendant took part in the burglary of the pharmacy along with Cody S. Broecker and another defendant. Codelia says the three men cut a hole in the roof of the pharmacy, and Broecker and the other co-defendant then lowered themselves in and stole more than $12,500 worth of Amphetamine, Oxycodone, Morphine, Hydrocodone, Codeine, Clonazepam, Lorazepam, Diazepam, and Zolpidem.
Codelia was arrested on Aug. 14, 2012 in Buffalo after attempting to sell 400 of the pills taken during the burglary. The defendant’s arrest led law enforcement officers to Broecker and the other co-defendant who fled to Oregon. They were apprehended in November 2012. Broecker has been convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges against the other co-defendant are 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 plea is the result of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Jamie J. Hunt, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division, the Niagara County Sheriff=s Department, under the direction of Sheriff James Votour, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2014, before Judge Arcara.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
