United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ROCHESTER, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, New York Division announced yesterday that Jose Casado, 32, of Rochester, NY, pled guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, quantities of fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine, before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant was the leader of a Rochester-based drug trafficking conspiracy. Between December 2017 and May 15, 2019, Casado conspired with multiple co-defendants to sell fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine out of drug houses located on Clifford Avenue and Treyer Street in Rochester. The defendant obtained bulk quantities of the drugs from various suppliers, which he and other members of the conspiracy would then repackage for individual sale. During the course of the conspiracy, the DEA made 13 controlled purchases from the defendant or a co-defendant.

On March 14, 2019, a search warrant was executed at 467 Clifford Avenue. Investigators recovered 19 bags of fentanyl, nine bags of powder cocaine, nine bags of crack cocaine, materials used to package controlled substances for distribution, 1,800 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition, and 50 shotgun shells. On May 15, 2019, a second search warrant was executed at 467 Clifford Avenue. During that search, investigators recovered a .22 caliber pistol. Also on May 15, 2019, a search warrant was executed at 125 William Warfield Drive in Rochester, and investigators found and seized $3,970.00 in cash hidden in a heating duct.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Rochester Resident Office.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 25, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Geraci.