United States Drug Enforcement Administration

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Jimolo Coates, a.k.a. “Lo,” Marlo” and “Brodie,” age 24, of Annapolis, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to participating in a heroin trafficking conspiracy.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), New York Division; and Clinton County Sheriff David Favro.

In pleading guilty, Coates admitted to regularly selling 40 grams of heroin to Melissa Kusalonis in Annapolis for $4,000.  Kusalonis then transported the heroin to Plattsburgh, New York, and sold it in personal-use quantities. 

Coates admitted that initially, and beginning in June 2016, he sold the heroin directly to Kusalonis.  Then, following his arrest and detention in early September 2016, Coates directed two couriers, Tynaejah Thompson and Kiara Scott, to provide the heroin to and collect payment from Kusalonis.  Coates also admitted to selling distribution-size quantities of heroin to Charles Adams, who frequently transported heroin from Annapolis to Plattsburgh with Kusalonis.

United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino will sentence Coates on June 22, 2018.  Coates faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least eight years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Coates was charged along with nine other people in two related indictments pertaining to a heroin-distribution ring that transported heroin from Annapolis and Schenectady, New York, and sold it in the Plattsburgh area.  In addition to Coates, the following eight defendants have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin:

• Kyle Touchstone, age 30, of Plattsburgh;
• Melissa Kusalonis, a.k.a. “Mel” and “Liss,” age 36, of Plattsburgh;
• Tynaejah Thompson, a.k.a. “Naee,” age 21, of Annapolis, Maryland;
• Kiara Scott, age 28, of Annapolis, Maryland;
• Anthony DeFilippo, a.k.a “Flip,” age 36, of Schenectady;
• Charles Adams, a.k.a. “Chuck,” age 32, of Peru, New York;
• Travynn Ippolito, a.k.a “Trav,” age 30, of Plattsburgh; and
• Luke Kiroy, age 33, of Saranac, New York.

The tenth defendant, Danielle Conners, age 32, of Plattsburgh, is scheduled for trial on April 2, 2018.  The charge against Conners is merely an accusation, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

The charges are the result of a nearly year-long investigation led by the DEA Task Force in Plattsburgh, which consists of law enforcement officers from the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Border Patrol, New York State Police, Clinton County Sherriff’s Office, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, and the Plattsburgh Police Department.  The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision also assisted in the investigation. 

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cyrus P.W. Rieck and Katherine Kopita.