BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Darren Lockett, 37, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty to burglary of a pharmacy before by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Astorga, who is handling the case, stated that on February 9, 2016, the defendant went to Macleod’s Pharmacy in Niagara Falls and hid in the basement of the building waiting for the pharmacy to close. Lockett was familiar with the physical layout of the pharmacy and also brought along a flashlight to see in the dark. Once the pharmacy closed, the defendant came out of the basement and stole 60 suboxone tablets, 500 diazepam tablets, and 500 clozapine tablets.
Today’s plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division and the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Bryan DalPorto.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 9, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
