Whitesville Man Pleads Guilty To Methamphetamine Charge

Buffalo, N.Y. – In a shocking turn of events, Timothy J. Billings, a 31-year-old man from Whitesville, New York, pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine charge in federal court.

According to prosecutors, Billings conspired to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine between January 2011 and October 25, 2011.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane stated that the defendant engaged in the practice of ‘smurfing’ at local pharmacies to avoid restrictions on the purchase of pseudoephedrine, a chemical used in the methamphetamine manufacturing process.

The conviction is the culmination of an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and other local and state agencies.

The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $5,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for June 1, 2017, before U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

Billings’ conviction is a significant blow to the methamphetamine trade in the region and serves as a reminder of the dangers of this highly addictive and destructive substance.

The investigation was led by the following agencies: the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), under the direction of Lieutenant Kevin Reyes and Major David Krause; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Region; the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb; the Wellsville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy O’Grady; U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Steven Oldman; and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, under the direction of Captain Frank Lauricella.

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