BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Gilberto Marchese, a/k/a, Noel, 38 of Lockport, NY, with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, attempted possession with intent to distribute of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, cocaine, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin G. Bish, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between December 2015 and March 27, 2019, the defendant conspired with other individuals to sell cocaine in the Lockport, NY area. In addition, Marchese is accused of using the residence at 150 Grand Street in Lockport, for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, and using cocaine.
Marchese was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and released on conditions.
The indictment is the culmination of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly, and the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour.
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
