Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Conspiracy
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Division, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA); announced today that Archie Phillips, 45, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that between December 2012 and March 12, 2013, the defendant shipped kilogram bricks of cocaine from Houston, Texas to Buffalo, NY for distribution. Co-conspirators, including Beverly Fields, would then package cash proceeds from the cocaine distribution and ship the currency from the Buffalo area to the defendant in Houston. The defendant utilized a storage locker in Houston, to store some of the drug proceeds. In March 2013, DEA Special Agents found $284,980 in cash in plastic bags stored in the locker.
Beverly Fields has been convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
One of the defendant’s customers was Tyshawn Bradley, who was convicted of multiple charges including conspiracy to distribute 280 grams or more of crack cocaine within 1000 feet of the Perry Housing Projects.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the DEA’s Buffalo Resident Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Marshals Service.
Sentencing is scheduled for June 25, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.
