Joseph Jones, a/k/a Tio, 55, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine, marking a key breakthrough in a years-long federal drug investigation.
The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, exposing Jones to a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, up to 40 years behind bars, and a $5,000,000 fine—penalties reserved for the most serious narcotics offenses.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, Jones operated as a mid-level distributor in a sprawling drug network active across the Buffalo and Niagara Falls region from October 2016 through September 29, 2017.
On three separate occasions in August 2017 alone, Jones received a combined two and one-half kilograms of cocaine from co-conspirators. Prosecutors say he moved at least one kilogram of the drug monthly on behalf of the organization, fueling addiction and violence in struggling communities.
So far, two of Jones’ associates have been convicted. Federal authorities confirm charges remain pending against four others, signaling ongoing fallout from the case. The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert.
Jones is scheduled for sentencing on September 11, 2019, before Judge Vilardo. As with all defendants, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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