Buffalo Snitch Jeffrey Mills Faces Life for Obstructing Justice

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Jeffrey Mills, 48, of Buffalo, is staring down the barrel of a potential life sentence after a federal grand jury slapped him with a two-count indictment for obstruction of justice. Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced the charges today, detailing a calculated attempt to derail a major murder case.

The case stems back to February 14, 2016, when Mills was subpoenaed as a witness in the trial of United States v. Eldridge, et al., a proceeding involving multiple defendants accused of heinous crimes. But here’s the twist: before even hitting the stand, Mills willingly spilled details to federal agents about two unsolved murders – murders the Eldridge defendants were allegedly connected to. He handed law enforcement a roadmap, then promptly pretended he couldn’t find the destination.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, the scheme unfolded in court. Mills initially refused to be sworn in, digging in his heels against providing testimony. Only after a stern warning from Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Arcara – a threat of contempt of court – did Mills reluctantly take the stand. But instead of corroborating his prior statements, he claimed complete amnesia, conveniently “forgetting” all the detailed information he’d previously provided about the murders. A convenient lapse in memory, to say the least.

The jury in United States v. Eldridge, et al. managed to convict the defendants on some counts, but remained deadlocked on those specifically related to the murders Mills was supposed to illuminate. The prosecution’s case, crippled by Mills’ sudden selective memory loss, stalled. Now, Mills is the one facing the music. He was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is currently being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for April 25, 2017.

The investigation, a joint effort by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Buffalo Division, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Adam S. Cohen, and the New York State Department of Parole, under Acting Commissioner Anthony J. Annucci, suggests a deliberate attempt to sabotage justice. The Feds aren’t buying the ‘forgotten memories’ routine.

It’s crucial to remember, as the Department of Justice emphasizes, that an indictment is merely an accusation. Jeffrey Mills is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But with a potential life sentence hanging over his head, and a trail of conveniently forgotten details, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops.