BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Tramell Bishop, 37, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine, before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, a fine of $5,000,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward H. White, who is handling the case, stated that between 2011 and Aug. 13, 2013, Bishop conspired with others distribute cocaine. On Aug. 13, 2013, Houston, Texas police officers encountered the defendant at the Mega Bus parking lot in Houston. Officers asked Bishop if they could search his suitcase and he consented. The officers discovered approximately five kilograms of cocaine hidden in the back of the suitcase. Bishop indicated that he was intending to travel back to Buffalo, New York.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Adam S. Cohen, Special Agent in Charge, and the Houston Police Department, under the direction of Police Chief Martha I. Montalvo.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 5, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Wolford.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
