A federal grand jury has indicted Theodore E. Coffie, a 54-year-old resident of Olean, New York, on charges of narcotics conspiracy. This charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could result in life imprisonment if convicted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti stated that between July 2016 and March 2021, Coffie conspired with Joseph S. Zaso and others to distribute various drugs including heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana in the Olean area. Zaso has already been convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
Coffie was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer this afternoon and remains in custody pending a detention hearing.
The indictment is part of an operation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). The task force aims to identify and dismantle high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through a coordinated approach involving multiple agencies. More information about OCDETF can be found at their official website.
The investigation leading to the indictment involved efforts from the Jamestown Police Department, led by Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino of the New York Field Division.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation; Coffie is presumed innocent until proven guilty.