BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment charging Jerry Rolon-Alvarez, 36, of Lackawanna, NY, with possession of cocaine and heroin with intent to distribute and maintaining a drug involved premises. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward H. White, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, in November 2014, a confidential source made a controlled purchase of heroin from Rolon-Alvarez. Prior to the controlled purchase, the defendant was observed departing 47 Colton Avenue in Lackawanna, and immediately after the controlled purchase, Rolon-Alvarez was observed returning to the Colton Avenue residence.
On Nov. 29, 2014, members of the Lackawanna and Buffalo Police Departments executed a search warrant at 47 Colton Avenue and found Rolon-Alvarez on a bed in the living room. During the search of a cabinet in the kitchen, officers found a large plastic bag containing suspected cocaine, and two plastic wraps containing suspected heroin. There was also a digital scale with heroin residue and a box containing green glassine envelopes located in Rolon-Alvarez’s jacket. Additionally, $2,280 in U.S. currency was seized from the defendant’s pocket. Rolon-Alvarez was arrested by the Lackawanna Police Department.
The defendant will be arraigned on Sept. 3, 2015 before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief James L. Michel.
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
