Buffalo, NY – A federal grand jury has returned a second superseding indictment charging Dontrell Wise, 32, and Lamario Jones, 31, both of Buffalo, NY, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, butyryl fentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute butyryl fentanyl; distribution of fentanyl causing death; and distribution of a controlled substance causing serious bodily injury.
According to the indictment, the conspiracy generally, and Wise specifically, between mid-November of 2017 and November 23, 2017, distributed fentanyl which caused the death of an individual identified as A.J. The ‘death results’ charge is punishable by a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $1,000,000 fine.
In addition, Jones is accused of distributing a controlled substance which resulted in two overdose incidents causing ‘serious bodily injury’ to individuals identified as K.M. and K.P. The ‘serious bodily injury’ charges are also punishable by a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $1,000,000 fine.
‘To date, our office has charged nearly a dozen defendants with causing the overdose deaths of 19 people,’ stated U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy. ‘Those lives represented 19 of our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and friends.’
The defendants will be arraigned on June 25, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy.
A third co-defendant, Jerell Weathersby, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute butyryl fentanyl and is awaiting sentencing.
The second superseding indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt.
Defendant: Dontrell Wise and Lamario Jones
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, butyryl fentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute butyryl fentanyl; distribution of fentanyl causing death; and distribution of a controlled substance causing serious bodily injury.
City and State: Buffalo, NY
Exact Date: Mid-November 2017 to November 23, 2017, and June 25, 2018
Sentence or Outcome: Arraignment scheduled for June 25, 2018, at 2:00 p.m.
Dollar Amounts: $1,000,000 fine
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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