Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul C. Parisi, who is handling the case, stated that between 2014 and Feb. 2, 2017, the defendant is accused of conspiring with others to possess and distribute illegal narcotics, including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine. According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, an individual working with the Drug Enforcement Administration made a controlled purchased of approximately 10 grams of suspected heroin from the defendant.
On April 13, 2017, DEA special agents and detectives from the Lackawanna Police Department executed a search warrant at defendant’s residence and recovered the following: a plastic bag containing approximately 500 grams of suspected cocaine; a 9mm semi-automatic pistol; two magazines filled with ammunition; a digital scale; packaging equipment: and three empty packages addressed from China, the main distributor of the synthetic opiate fentanyl. Officers also located a kilogram press.
The defendant was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and was released on conditions.
The indictment 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 Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Michel.
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
