BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that David Jesus Pagan, 40, of Dunkirk, NY, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to 97 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who handled the case, stated that David Jesus Pagan and co-defendant Rafael Burgos were the leaders of a drug trafficking organization that distributed illegal narcotics in the Dunkirk, NY, area between 2013 and June 10, 2015. During that time, members distributed multiple kilograms of cocaine throughout the Dunkirk area.
Pagan was arrested in June of 2015 along with Burgos and four others. Search warrants were executed at the time of the arrests at six properties which resulted in the recovery of more than seven kilograms of cocaine (the largest seizure ever in the City of Dunkirk) and approximately $175,000 in cash as well as an AR-15 assault rifle with a 30 round magazine, most of which was found in the defendant’s residence. During a search of Burgos’ residence, officers discovered a secret room with a money counting machine. All defendants have been convicted.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Office; the Dunkirk Police Department, under the direction of Chief David C. Ortolano; the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace; the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy S. Whitcomb; and the Chautauqua County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Patrick Swanson.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
