A Buffalo man has been sentenced to 132 months in prison for his role in a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation and for threatening a witness in the case.
Joseph C. Paternostro, 28, of Hamburg, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute, and distribution of, five kilograms or more of cocaine, as well as retaliating against a witness.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan A. Tokash and Charles J. Volkert, Jr., who handled the case, Paternostro pleaded guilty in federal court to the drug charge on July 12, 2018. However, shortly after his guilty plea, he began writing letters from prison threatening to hurt or kill the victim who was a witness against him.
The defendant was indicted in September 2018 for the threats and pleaded guilty in December 2018. Today’s sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim B. Quattrone; and the Evans Police Department, under the direction of Chief Douglas Czora.
Paternostro was ordered to forfeit $200,000 in drug proceeds as part of his sentence. The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of large-scale drug trafficking operations and the consequences for those who engage in such activities.
The sentencing of Paternostro is a significant victory for law enforcement in Western New York and serves as a warning to those who would engage in similar activities. The case highlights the importance of cooperation and coordination between law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting complex cases.
Contact: Barbara Burns, (716) 843-5817, (716) 551-3051.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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