Damian Ard, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base, New York 2010

Buffalo Man Convicted of Drug Conspiracy Charge

A Lockport man has been convicted of a drug conspiracy charge after authorities cracked down on narcotics trafficking in the city. Damian Ard, 32, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base in front of U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, or both. According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, Ard distributed cocaine base, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Ecstasy, and prescription pills in the City of Lockport from 2009 through August 2010.

The investigation began on August 17, 2010, when law enforcement officers executed search warrants at several locations, including Ard’s residence on Chapel Street in Lockport. During the search, officers seized three guns, magazines, ammunition, plastic baggies containing marijuana, and surveillance equipment.

Ard was arrested along with 22 others in August of 2010. To date, 17 defendants have been convicted. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Richard M. Frankel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, The Niagara County Drug Enforcement Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff James Votour, and the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority Police, under the direction of Chief George Gast.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny. The investigation has led to the conviction of 17 defendants so far.

Damian Ard, 32, of Lockport, N.Y., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. The crime took place in Lockport, New York, from 2009 through August 2010. The mandatory minimum penalty is five years in prison, and the maximum is 40 years. Ard was arrested in August 2010, and sentencing is set for October 1, 2013. The fine for the crime is up to $5,000,000.

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