Lavon Parks, Murder and Narcotics Conspiracy, New York 2018

BUFFALO, N.Y. - In a shocking turn of events, a federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging Lavon Parks, a/k/a Dutch, 29, and his father, James C. Parks, 55, both of Niagara Falls, NY, with discharge of firearm causing death involving the murder of Kevin Turner.

According to the superseding indictment, on January 21, 2018, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Kevin Turner, 21, was shot and killed as he exited a residence on Niagara Street in Niagara Falls. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine.

In addition to the murder charge, Lavon and James Parks are also charged with narcotics conspiracy, along with Annette Lugo Rodriguez, 39, Vivian Pintado-Figueroa, 41, both of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Yarimar Berrios Alvarado, 24, Wilmer Casiano-Perez, 26, both of Buffalo, NY; and Wayne E. Payne, 63, of Niagara Falls. That charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Some defendants also face other charges including possession with intent to distribute cocaine, maintaining a drug involved premises, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The investigation included a series of controlled buys and payments involving defendant Lavon Parks. Investigators seized approximately 8.5 kilograms of cocaine and $52,000 in U.S. currency from postal parcels shipped from Puerto Rico to various locations in the Western District of New York, Florida, Alaska, Georgia, and Pennsylvania using the United States Postal Service.

The superseding indictment is the result of an investigation by the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent Thomas Licata; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin of the Boston Division.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The investigation is ongoing, and further details may be released as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/father-and-son-indicted-killing-niagara-falls-man-furtherance-drug-conspiracy-involving