A Niagara Falls man, Jermaine McQueen, 46, has pleaded guilty to a drug charge involving fentanyl. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the plea in Buffalo, New York. McQueen admitted to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. This charge carries a minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison, along with a potential fine of up to $5 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch provided details on the case, noting that search warrants executed on August 28, 2024, led investigators to seize significant quantities of drugs and cash from locations linked to McQueen. The items confiscated included approximately 405 grams of cocaine, about 300 grams of fentanyl, six grams of crack cocaine, drug packaging materials, $10,625 in cash, and various pieces of jewelry identified as proceeds from narcotics trafficking. Controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine were also made by law enforcement during the investigation.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The operation involves resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; Niagara Falls Police Department under Commissioner Nick Ligammari; Niagara County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff Michael Filicetti; North Tonawanda Police Department under Chief Keith Glass; New York State Police under Major Amie Feroleto; and Erie County Sheriff’s Department under Sheriff John Garcia.
Sentencing for McQueen will be scheduled at a later date.
