Steven Martinez, Heroin Conspiracy, New York 2017

Buffalo, NY – In a major blow to the city’s heroin trade, two Buffalo men have pleaded guilty to heroin conspiracy charges. Steven Martinez, 51, and Jeffrey Coleman, 47, both of Buffalo, New York, were arrested in 2014 and charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin.

Martinez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. Coleman, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 100 grams of heroin. Both charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, Coleman was the courier of a heroin distribution conspiracy that brought heroin to Buffalo from New York City. On February 26, 2014, Coleman was stopped and found in possession of more than $65,000 in cash, which was payment for the delivery of heroin. A note, written and signed by Martinez, was found within the currency, serving as a receipt for the delivery and an order for another delivery in the future.

Martinez was also stopped and found in possession of more than $2,000 and a small quantity of heroin. The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at a residence on West Delavan Avenue in Buffalo, where law enforcement officers recovered more than 100 grams of heroin, drug packaging paraphernalia, and $4,000 in cash.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division. Coleman is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11, 2017, at 2:00 p.m., while Martinez is due to be sentenced on May 15, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., both before Judge Vilardo.

The guilty pleas are a significant victory for law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to combat the heroin epidemic in Western New York. The investigation and subsequent arrests are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the DEA and local law enforcement agencies.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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