Lawrence Russell, Cocaine Conspiracy, New York 2018

Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty in Cocaine Conspiracy

Lawrence Russell, 41, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, and failure to appear after pre-trial release.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Russell conspired with others to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine between January 2013 and January 23, 2015. He sold quantities of cocaine and/or crack cocaine to an individual working with the FBI on six occasions between May 2014 and January 2015.

The defendant was released on conditions, including electronic monitoring, on March 3, 2017. However, he cut his ankle monitor and fled on December 1, 2017. He failed to appear for a scheduled change of plea hearing on January 9, 2018, and remained at large until May 23, 2018, when he was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service in North Carolina.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Probation Department, and the United States Marshals Service in North Carolina.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for November 29, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Defendant: Lawrence Russell, a/k/a Mucho, 41, of Buffalo, NY
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, and failure to appear after pre-trial release
City and State: Buffalo, New York
Exact Date: February 15, 2017 (indicted), March 3, 2017 (released), December 1, 2017 (fled), January 9, 2018 (failed to appear), May 23, 2018 (apprehended)
Sentence or Outcome: Pleaded guilty, sentencing scheduled for November 29, 2018
Dollar Amounts: $5,000,000 fine, 500 grams or more of cocaine, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine

This article is part of our ongoing coverage of drug trafficking cases in the United States. Follow us for the latest updates on crime and justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/buffalo-man-pleads-guilty-his-role-cocaine-conspiracy-and-fleeing-authorities