A Rochester man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Juan Sampel, 48, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Sampel was sentenced to 360 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.
The evidence presented at trial demonstrated that between 2015 and April 27, 2016, Sampel and co-defendant Jose Gonzalez were part of a cocaine distribution network that distributed kilograms of cocaine in Rochester.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers obtained court-ordered wiretaps on several phone numbers related to the conspiracy. Calls involving Sampel, Gonzalez, and other co-conspirators were recorded, with the defendants using coded references to refer to their cocaine trafficking.
Investigators also utilized video surveillance to record meetings and the transfer of cocaine and cash between co-conspirators.
On April 27, 2016, several search warrants were executed, including at the residences of the defendants. Law enforcement officers recovered multiple cellular telephones, drug paraphernalia such as scales and baggies, and over $11,000 in cash from Gonzalez’s residence, and over $17,000 from Sampel’s residence.
As part of the overall investigation, investigators seized over 11 kilograms of cocaine.
Co-defendant Jose Gonzalez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10, 2019, at 11:00 a.m.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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