A Niagara Falls man has pleaded guilty to federal gun and drug charges, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Derrel Lemorn Moore, Jr., also known as Derrel Austin, age 47, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Moore admitted to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. These offenses carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and could result in up to life imprisonment as well as a $1 million fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna M. Duncan said that Moore was previously convicted on multiple felony counts—including kidnapping, burglary, and robbery—in Erie County Court in January 1996. As part of his earlier sentence, he was placed on lifetime parole.
Authorities searched Moore’s residence on 7th Street in Niagara Falls on February 17, 2022. During the search by New York State Parole officers and Niagara Falls Police officers, they found about 17 grams of cocaine, 44 grams of fentanyl, 40 suboxone packages, and a pistol.
"The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III, the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Nicholas Ligammari, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera."
Sentencing for Moore is set for August 20, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., before Judge Sinatra.
