ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Terrence Morgan, aka Young, 24, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty, before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, cocaine, and heroin. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that between April 2018 and August 7, 2018, the defendant was a member of a drug trafficking organization led by co-conspirators Michael Wyatt and Andre Cunningham. During the conspiracy, Wyatt would obtain quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and heroin from various suppliers, including but not limited to Ulises Vargas, who in turn was supplied by Clifford Billins, among others. After obtaining a supply, Wyatt and Cunningham supervised and directed the distribution and sale of those controlled substances to individual drug users, at various drug houses maintained for that purpose in the City of Rochester. The drug houses were operated by members of the conspiracy, including Morgan. The locations of the drug houses included 218 Emerson Street and 131 Saratoga Avenue.
At the direction of Michael Wyatt and/or Andre Cunningham, the defendant was responsible for processing, breaking down, and re-packaging the controlled substances into smaller quantities to be sold to individual drug users. Morgan was also responsible for selling the controlled substances to individual buyers. The proceeds from these individual sales were collected from the defendant and others by Michael Wyatt and/or Andre Cunningham at regular intervals. Morgan was compensated for his role in the conspiracy.
In addition, between July 2018 and August 7, 2018, the defendant possessed a firearm in connection with the narcotics conspiracy.
Michael Wyatt, Andre Cunningham, and Ulises Vargas were previously convicted and are awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against Clifford Billins. 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.
Today’s plea is the result of an investigation by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of District Attorney Sandra Doorley; and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron D. Singletary.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 5, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci. #
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
