Criminal indictment includes 31 defendants and 192 charges related to drug trafficking and weapons networks in Central New York and the North Country
A criminal indictment regarding a case of two major drug trafficking and weapons networks to Central New York and the North Country includes 31 defendants and 192 total charges.
That’s according to the office of New York State Attorney General Letitia James. “This takedown is part of my office’s ongoing efforts to roll back the deadly and destructive effects of the opioid crisis,” she said.
“We will continue to pursue and prosecute all those who peddle illicit drugs and I thank our partners in law enforcement for their critical support and collaboration in this investigation.” As alleged in two indictments, the year-long investigation led to the seizure of more than 150,000 envelopes containing over $300,000 worth of fentanyl or a mixture of fentanyl and heroin.
“Because of the critical partnerships and collaborative efforts with our law enforcement partners, a dangerous drug trafficking operation has been dismantled,” said New York State Police Acting Superintendent Dominick L. Chiumento.
“Each arrest and each seizure saves lives and decreases the additional crimes that oftentimes coincide with these illegal drug operations. The arrests of these criminals reinforce our commitment that we will continue our aggressive posture in stopping the flow of these dangerous drugs into our neighborhoods. I thank the Attorney General’s Office and our law enforcement partners at all levels for their relentless efforts to keep illegal drugs off our streets.”
Counties where this bust applies includes Onondaga, Oswego, Cortland, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence.
Fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine were all substances named by authorities.
The 31 individuals who were charged with various crimes in relation to their involvement in the narcotics trafficking operation, that include various counts of Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance (class A, B, and C felonies), and Conspiracy to commit those crimes.
All 31 defendants below:
Deion Bradley, 26 years old, Syracuse, NY
Bayron Castro, a/k/a “Hov”, 41 years old, Syracuse, NY
Jose Cosme, 54 years old, Syracuse, NY
Jean Carlos Cruz, 34 years old, Syracuse, NY
Miguel Cruz, a/k/a “G”, 36 years old, Liverpool, NY
Lamell Davis, a/k/a “Melly,” or “O’Melly,” a/k/a “Felix”, 29 years old, Syracuse, NY
Johnathan Delgado, a/k/a “Green Eyes”, 37 years old, Syracuse, NY
Malik Evans, a/k/a “Leek”, 35 years old, Syracuse, NY
Chad Firenze, 34 years old, Granby, NY
Terrah Frederick, 35 years old, Adams Center, NY
Jaidyn Freeman, a/k/a “Jaido”, 21 years old, Syracuse, NY
Shawn Gifford, a/k/a “Nani”, 36 years old, Syracuse, NY
Michael Hudgins, 36 years old, Syracuse, NY
Xavier Jackson, 29 years old, Syracuse, NY
Brycedon James, a/k/a “Doodak”, 24 years old, Syracuse, NY
Emmanuel Jenkins, a/k/a “Lean”, 32 years old, Syracuse, NY
Kwamea Jenkins, 23 years old, Syracuse, NY
Luis Miguel Joaquin, 35 years old, Bronx, NY
David Kalet, 36 years old, Port Byron, NY
James Kelley, 35 years old, Liverpool, NY
Christopher Lanzafame, 33 years old, Baldwinsville, NY
Docciana Mack, 34 years old, Syracuse, NY
Devine Mobley, 21 years old, Syracuse, NY
James Odom, 31 years old, Syracuse, NY
Edward Pettiford, a/k/a “Buster”, 30 years old, Syracuse, NY
Keenan Scott, a/k/a “Kasey”, 26 years old, Syracuse, NY
Jamar Sheppard, a/k/a “Ski”, 27 years old, Syracuse, NY
Carlos Torres, 30 years old, Syracuse, NY
Henry Townsend, a/k/a “Rock,” a/k/a “Henrock”, 28 years old, Syracuse, NY
Jeffrey Walts, 40 years old, Central Square, NY
Tevon Webb, a/k/a “Tay”, 28 years old, Syracuse, NY
The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation was led by Syracuse Police Detective Travis Holmes and OAG OCTF Supervising Detective Tim MacConaghy, with the assistance of the U.S. Army National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, under the supervision of OCTF Assistant Chief Investigator John Monte and Deputy Chief Investigator Andrew Boss. The Attorney General’s Investigations Division is led by Chief Oliver Pu-Folkes.
The case is being prosecuted by OAG OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Geoffrey Ciereck, with the assistance of Legal Support Analyst Sean McCauley and OCTF Confidential Clerk Theresa Rowe, under the supervision of Upstate OCTF Deputy Chief Maria Moran. Nicole Keary is the Deputy Attorney General in Charge of OCTF. The Criminal Justice Division is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Jose Maldonado.
Both the Investigations Division and the Criminal Justice Division are overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
New York Attorney General Office image.
