United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ROCHESTER, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division, Special Agent in Charge Raymond Donovan announced today that Nolan Rogers, 32, of Lisbon, Connecticut, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of fentanyl. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison, and a fine of up to $100,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean C. Eldridge, who is handling the case, said that the criminal complaint alleges that in March 2019, the defendant was a resident at the Bath, New York Veterans Affairs Medical Center. On March 2, 2019, Rogers returned to the facility after a trip home to Connecticut, when Veterans Affairs Police received information that the defendant was in possession of a prohibited item. VA Police responded and after speaking with Rogers, officers removed approximately 20 small baggies from his pocket that were rubber-banded together. Also recovered were four knives with blades over three inches long, an unspent round of ammunition, three used hypodermic needles, and a bag of unused needles.

Subsequent laboratory testing performed by the DEA confirmed that the substance contained in the 20 seized baggies was fentanyl.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson, further proceedings are scheduled on August 26, 2019, at 9:00 AM.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the DEA, under the direction of New York Division, Special Agent in Charge Raymond Donovan, the Bath Veterans Affairs Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Day, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, Northeast Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Sean J. Smith. Assistance was also provided by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff James L. Allard.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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