Buffalo Man Sentenced On Heroin Charge
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Rashawn Crule, 43, of Buffalo, NY, was sentenced to serve 108 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo for possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. Crule was convicted of the charge.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Tokash, who handled the case, stated that between June 2013 and September 2015, the defendant possessed with intent to distribute and distributed various illegal narcotics including kilograms of heroin, as well as fentanyl, crack cocaine and cocaine.
Crule volunteered at the Saunders Community Center where DEA agents observed him leaving the center to drive to his stash house, and return to make sales. The defendant also maintained a drug-involved premises at 98 Gillette Avenue in Buffalo for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing and using these illegal narcotics. Crule also possessed a 9mm handgun.
Crule made two sales of heroin to an individual working with the DEA. On November 2, 2015, investigators executed a search warrant and seized $74,878 in U.S. currency and a 14 karat white gold necklace from the defendant’s residence at 22 Homer Avenue in Buffalo, which represented drug trafficking proceeds. After his arrest, the defendant told agents that he previously received three kilograms of heroin from co-defendant Troy Gillon and that he could readily get five more kilograms for distribution.
A second search warrant was executed at 98 Gillette Street in Buffalo where investigators seized heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and cocaine. A firearm and 11 rounds of ammunition were also seized.
Troy Gillon was convicted and is awaiting sentencing. The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), under the direction of Detail Commander Mary Clark and Lieutenant Kevin Reyes, CNET West Commander; and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Unit, under the direction of Brian Manaher, Director, Marine Operations.
Rashawn Crule was sentenced to 108 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin. He also possessed a 9mm handgun and $74,878 in U.S. currency was seized from his residence. The crime took place between June 2013 and September 2015. The sentencing occurred in Buffalo, New York.
Contact: Barbara Burns, U.S. Attorney’s Office, (716) 843-5817, (716) 551-3051.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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