James Hamilton, Jr., Distribution of Marijuana, New York 2014

State: New York
Category: Drug Trafficking
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/probationary-buffalo-police-officer-pleads-guilty-drug-charge" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

Buffalo Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Marijuana Charge

A shocking turn of events in the City of Buffalo has left many questioning the integrity of its law enforcement agencies. James Hamilton, Jr., a 29-year-old probationary Buffalo Police Officer, has pleaded guilty to distributing marijuana in a case that has sent shockwaves through the community.

According to court documents, Hamilton sold a half pound of marijuana to a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department on November 20, 2013. The sale occurred while Hamilton was still a probationary member of the Buffalo Police Department and in possession of his issued .40 caliber Glock handgun.

Following the sale, Hamilton was arrested and a search warrant was executed at his residence at 165 Floss Avenue in Buffalo. During the search, officers seized approximately 80 marijuana plants, three to four pounds of processed marijuana, and a shotgun.

As a result of the charges, Hamilton is no longer employed by the Buffalo Police Department. His sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The investigation was led by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Jamie J. Hunt, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining the highest standards of integrity within our law enforcement agencies. The actions of James Hamilton, Jr. are a betrayal of the trust placed in him as a member of the Buffalo Police Department.

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