Prior Felon Pleads Guilty to New Drug Charge
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Special Agent in Timothy Foley, New York Division announced that Julian Riley, 47, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and crack cocaine. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and an $8,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. McGrath, who is handling the case, stated that Riley was the leader of a drug trafficking organization that sold large quantities of cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl out of a drug house on Clifton Street in Rochester. The residence was an active location for walk-up, hand to hand drug sales. On May 28, 2020, Rochester Police Officers executed a series of search warrants on the Clifton Street residence and other locations used by the organization. Large amounts of cocaine and cash were recovered during the execution of the search warrants. In December 2015, Riley was convicted on a federal charge of drug conspiracy and sentenced to serve 77 months in prison.
The plea is the result of/culmination of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, and the DEA Rochester Resident Office.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 3, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Siragusa.
