BUFFALO, N.Y. – A 27-year-old Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug involved premises, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $500,000, or both.
Chazity Fluellen, 27, of Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to maintaining a drug involved premises, as stated in the plea agreement. The defendant and co-defendant, 10th Street Gang member Desmond Ford, used and maintained the premises at 23 10th Street in Buffalo for the purpose of storing and distributing cocaine and crack cocaine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, the defendant and co-defendant used the property to store and distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, as evidenced by the quantities of the substances found during a search of the property on June 18, 2010. Officers recovered quantities of cocaine and crack cocaine, packaging material, a scale, and cellular phones.
Fluellen is the latest in a string of 10th Street Gang members or associates to be convicted as a part of this federal investigation. As a part of the plea, the defendant will forfeit the residence at 23 10th Street to federal authorities.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Cerretto, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Frank Christiano.
The case began as a probe into the 10th Street Gang, which has been linked to numerous crimes in the Buffalo area. With Fluellen’s plea, the total number of convicted gang members or associates now stands at 40.
Fluellen is scheduled to be sentenced on October 27, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara. The sentence will be determined at that time, but the guilty plea marks a significant milestone in the ongoing investigation into the 10th Street Gang.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. commended the law enforcement agencies involved in the case, saying "This guilty plea marks another significant victory in our ongoing efforts to combat gang violence and drug trafficking in Western New York."
RELATED: Jamal Shehadeh Gets 30 Years for Arson-for-Profit Scheme
RELATED: Cheko’s Crew Boss Pleads Guilty To RICO, Multiple Murders
Related Federal Cases
- Wall Street Bailout: NY & CA Lose $2 Trillion · North Carolina
- Fake Wall Street Guru Admits Scam · New York
- Michael Danzey Sentenced for Leading Fentanyl & Cocaine Ring · New York
- James Leads Charge to Shield Haitian Immigrants from Deportation · Washington
- Sununu Declares War on Trump’s GOP Grip · New Hampshire
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News