BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jason Yelder, 37, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40, and $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated in May 2017, Yelder pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, five grams or more of methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 20 months in prison and five years post-release supervision. The defendant was released from custody and supervision began on May 25, 2018.
On Feb. 12, Feb. 21, and April 23, 2019, Yelder was tested by U.S. Probation for drug screening. On each date, he tested positive for amphetamine. The defendant was instructed to report for further testing on April 29 and May 2, 2019. Yelder failed to report as directed and further broke off all contact with probation personnel. On April 26, 2019, a probation officer contacted the defendant’s mother who advised she did not know the whereabouts of her son. On May 3, 2019, an arrest warrant was issued for Yelder for a violation of supervised release.
On July 15, 2019, the defendant was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Serve and Buffalo Police at a hotel in downtown Buffalo. Yelder was found with 21 bags of suspected crystal methamphetamine, as well as numerous additional suspected controlled substances.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division, and the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.
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
