ROCHESTER, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury in Rochester has returned a four count indictment charging Guarionex Rivera, 27, of Clifton Springs, NY, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute five hundred grams or more of cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of the drug crime, and using interstate communications facilities with intent to commit a murder for hire.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, who is handling the case, stated that the indictment is the result of a lengthy investigation of the defendant and others for cocaine distribution. During the course of the investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration used a confidential informant to purchase 62 grams of cocaine from Rivera. The investigation culminated on May 22, 2015 when the defendant was arrested by law enforcement officers as they were preparing to drive to sell the informant a larger quantity of cocaine. At the time of their arrest, Rivera and another individual had in their possession four kilograms of cocaine, a loaded.45 caliber handgun, approximately $18,790 in cash, an electronic money counter and other drug paraphernalia.
The indictment further charges that, also in May, the defendant used cell phones and the internet in an effort to hire someone to assist in murdering a man for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds from Rivera. The defendant contacted the informant, among others, for assistance in finding and killing the thief in exchange for $40,000. The informant put Rivera in touch with an undercover officer who played the role of someone willing to help the defendant further his scheme.
The indictment also seeks forfeiture of two guns seized during the investigation, the $18,790 in cash and a BMW automobile which Rivera used while engaging in the charged criminal activity.
The indictment is the result of an investigation headed by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division, with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Shelly Binkowski, Inspector in Charge Boston Division, the United States Marshal’s Service, under the Direction of U.S. Marshal Charles Salina, the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Philip Povero, the Macedon Police Department under the direction of Chief John Colella, and the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team.
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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
