BUFFALO, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Rashawn Dewer, 37, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant organized a conspiracy that transported kilograms of cocaine from Texas to Buffalo and cash proceeds from Buffalo to Texas. Law enforcement agencies in multiple jurisdictions, including the State of Louisiana, made multiple seizures such as:
• On Aug. 16, 2014, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle in the vicinity of Covington, Louisiana, that was traveling from Buffalo to Texas. Inside a hidden compartment in the vehicle was approximately $330,020. This money originated from the defendant, was being transported at the defendant’s direction, and was payment for cocaine.
• On Jan. 20, 2016, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle in the area of Lake Charles, Louisiana that was traveling to Texas. Inside a hidden compartment in the vehicle was over $275,000. This money originated from the defendant and was being transported at the defendant’s direction.
• On Feb. 22, 2016, law enforcement officers stopped a vehicle driven by a co-conspirator in the area of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Seized from inside the vehicle was approximately $798,021. At the time, the co-conspirator resided in Sugarland, Texas. After arrest, the co-conspirator asked an associate to call a telephone number that was subscribed to a second co-conspirator, who resided in Buffalo, to say, “I’m not going to make it." On the money wrappings, one latent fingerprint was developed and found to match known prints from the defendant.
The plea 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 Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 24, 2017, at 9:30am before Judge Wolford.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
