ROCHESTER, NY – A trio of Rochester men are headed to federal prison following a bust on Pardee Street that uncovered a marijuana trafficking operation and illegal firearms. The sentences, handed down by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa, represent the culmination of a months-long investigation targeting drug dealing and related violence in the troubled area.
J’Lyne Caldwell, 30, received the lightest sentence of the group – 61 months behind bars – after being convicted of distribution of marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The conviction stems from a raid executed August 11, 2022, at residences located at 55 and 59 Pardee Street. Investigators discovered marijuana pre-packaged for sale, along with the loaded firearm and a stash of U.S. currency.
Facing significantly longer sentences were Elisha Scott, 22, and Strong King, 20. Both men were convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Each will spend 85 months in federal prison, a stiff penalty intended to disrupt their criminal enterprise and send a message to others operating in the area.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert A. Marangola, the investigation wasn’t just about drugs. It was a direct response to reports of shootings plaguing the Pardee Street neighborhood. The raid wasn’t a random sweep; it was a targeted operation based on evidence linking Caldwell, Scott, and King to both the drug trade and the escalating violence.
The successful prosecution was a joint effort involving multiple agencies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Darren Cox, spearheaded the investigation, working alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito. Crucially, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under Sheriff Todd Baxter, and the Rochester Police Department, led by Chief David Smith, provided vital local support and intelligence.
While the sentences offer a temporary reprieve for residents of Pardee Street, the underlying issues of drug trafficking and gun violence remain. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the situation and report on efforts to address the root causes of crime in Rochester’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, headed by Trini E. Ross, has yet to comment on further investigations in the area.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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