BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy announced today that Gary Hannold, 42, of Bemus Point, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that in the early morning hours on Aug. 11, 2017, the defendant was pulled over by deputies with the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office while riding his motorcycle in the Village of Sherman.
According to the complaint, as Hannold got off the motorcycle, he removed his helmet, and then took off a camouflage back pack that he was wearing and threw the pack back into the high weeds adjacent to the motorcycle. As a deputy attempted to retrieve the back pack, the defendant attempted to grab the pack back. Inside the back pack, the deputy found a quantity of suspected crystal methamphetamine packaged in several plastic baggies, was well as marijuana, a clear vile containing cocaine, 10 packets of Suboxone, a digital scale, a bag with unused small plastic bags, U.S. Currency, two cell phones, a New York State motorcycle license plate and numerous other items.
The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder and is being detained.
The complaint 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; and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Joseph Gerace.
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
