BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Chazity Fluellen, 27, of Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to maintaining a drug involved premises. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, who handled the case, stated that the defendant and co-defendant, 10th Street Gang member Desmond Ford, used and maintained the premises at 23 10th Street in Buffalo for the purpose of storing and distributing cocaine and crack cocaine. During a search of the property on June 18, 2010, officers recovered quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, packaging material, a scale, and cellular phones.
Fluellen is one of 40 members or associates of the 10th Street Gang who have been convicted as a part of this federal investigation. As a part of the plea, the defendant will forfeit the residence at 23 10th Street to federal authorities.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Cerretto, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Frank Christiano.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 27, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
