BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that James Lee, 27, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Misha A. Coulson, who is handling the case, stated that in March 2019, the defendant sold and distributed fentanyl, cocaine and crack cocaine to others in the Buffalo area. During this time, Lee possessed various firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking in order to protect himself, his drugs, and his drug proceeds.
On March 13, 2019, investigators executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Oakmont Avenue residence. During the search, they recovered two firearms, one stolen; ammunition; small bags of suspected crack cocaine and cocaine; a bag of suspected fentanyl; $546.00 in cash; and three digital scales.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Skretny. #
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
