Rochester Fentanyl Dealer Colon Admits Guilt

ROCHESTER, NY – Robert Colon, 32, of Rochester, New York, has confessed to flooding the streets with a deadly poison. The man pleaded guilty today to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, a charge that could land him in a federal prison cell for two decades.

According to federal prosecutors, Colon wasn’t selling peanuts. Between January and March of 2022, he repeatedly peddled fentanyl – and sometimes cocaine and para-fluorofentanyl – to an undercover officer. This brazen activity triggered an arrest warrant issued on March 23, 2022, but Colon remained at large until May 30, 2022, when authorities finally caught up with him.

The bust wasn’t pretty. When Colon was apprehended, he wasn’t empty-handed. Law enforcement discovered he was carrying 189 baggies filled with fentanyl, another 16 baggies of cocaine, and a cool $1,748 in cash – dirty money earned from pushing poison. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie M. Kocher is prosecuting the case, and she’s aiming for the maximum sentence.

This wasn’t a solo operation, and Colon isn’t the only one to blame. The investigation, which led to Colon’s downfall, was a joint effort involving the Rochester Police Department, led by Chief David Smith, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Homeland Security Investigations, headed by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino. They worked together to get this dealer off the streets.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross made the announcement today, signaling a continued crackdown on drug trafficking in the region. Colon now faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years behind bars and a hefty $1,000,000 fine. Justice will be served, but it won’t bring back the lives potentially ruined by Colon’s actions.

Colon is scheduled to be sentenced on June 15, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The Grimy Times will be there to report on the outcome. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of fentanyl and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to combat the opioid crisis.