Steven Bennett, Drug Conspiracy and Money Laundering, New York 2013

Buffalo, NY – In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking, seven individuals have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine and cocaine, and money laundering.

The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury, charges Steven Bennett, 42, of Buffalo, NY; Chandra Woods, 29, of Los Angeles, California; Jessica Lopez, 32, of Buffalo, NY; Phillip Keomongkoun, 26, of Buffalo, NY; Malcom Bull, 21, of Jamestown, NY; Nikki Lillard, 49, of Buffalo, NY; and Guy Burt with the above-mentioned crimes.

According to the indictment, between July 2012 and January 2013, Steven Bennett was a supplier of methamphetamine and cocaine. The defendant shipped the drugs from California to Buffalo for distribution by his co-defendants. Bennett made numerous trips to Buffalo to coordinate the shipments and further distribute the drugs.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti stated that the charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine or both.

‘This investigation focused on a narcotic which is only beginning to be seen in our area and involved an organization that was seeking to create a market for this dangerous drug,’ said U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul.

The indictment is the result of an investigation on the part of members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian R. Crowell, New York Field Division, the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard, the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Zack, and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Toni Weirauch.

The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation.

Steven Bennett, 42, of Buffalo, NY; Chandra Woods, 29, of Los Angeles, California; Jessica Lopez, 32, of Buffalo, NY; Phillip Keomongkoun, 26, of Buffalo, NY; Malcom Bull, 21, of Jamestown, NY; Nikki Lillard, 49, of Buffalo, NY; and Guy Burt face up to 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine or both.

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