Man Accused of Cocaine Trafficking in Little Valley, NY

BUFFALO, N.Y. – A high-speed chase through Cattaraugus County ended with the arrest of Ronald D. Mitchell, 44, of Little Valley, New York.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Mitchell was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass stated that investigators began investigating Mitchell’s drug trafficking activities in September 2025, identifying him as a distributor of methamphetamine and cocaine in Cattaraugus County.

On September 17, 2025, investigators observed Mitchell selling drugs inside his vehicle in the Village of Little Valley. A Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop, during which Mitchell appeared nervous and started to sweat profusely.

When asked to exit the vehicle, Mitchell fled the scene, leading deputies on a chase that exceeded 90 MPH. Mitchell eventually crashed his vehicle into a tree in Ellicottville, and fled. Investigators seized 52 grams of cocaine and a large amount of cash from the vehicle.

A bag containing a large quantity of suspected narcotics, believed to have been discarded by Mitchell when he fled from the crash, was discovered on Route 242. The bag contained drug paraphernalia, 196 grams of cocaine, and 472 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

Mitchell made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and was detained.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Cattaraugus County Sheriff Eric Butler and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field 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.

Defendant Details: Ronald D. Mitchell, 44, of Little Valley, NY.

Criminal Charges: Possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

City and State: Buffalo, New York.

Crime Date: September 17, 2025.

Sentence or Outcome: Detained and facing up to 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Amounts: $1,000,000 fine, 52 grams of cocaine, 196 grams of cocaine, 472 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

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