Major Heroin Distribution Ring Dismantled In Onondaga County, NY
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Onondaga County District Attorney William J. Fitzpatrick and DEA Resident Agent in Charge, Ed Duffy announced today the conclusion of a major heroin investigation. The investigation was conducted by the DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area of Central New (HIDTA). HIDTA Force members include the DEA, the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office, the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the NY National Guard Counter Drug Program and the Syracuse Police Department. The HIDTA Task Force is currently designated the “CNY HIDTA Heroin Strike Force.” Its main focus is to stop the influx of heroin into the region.
This was a yearlong investigation of a heroin trafficking organization centered in Syracuse, NY. The main target was Calvin Marshall, who along with several other co-conspirators, were trafficking large quantities of heroin from New Jersey into Central New York. Thus far this investigation has resulted in 19 arrests with estimated seizures of $100,000 in currency and property, 10,000 packets of heroin totaling approximately 13 ounces, and a handgun.
The defendants were arrested pursuant to warrants issued out of Onondaga County Court and will be prosecuted by the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office. The following individuals were arrested yesterday, Tuesday August 12, 2014, in a coordinated raid by members of the HIDTA Task Force
- Marshall, Calvin - of 207 Hier Ave. Syracuse, NY
-Operating as a Major Trafficker
-Conspiracy 2nd degree
-Conspiracy 4th degree
-Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd degree
-Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree
- Stone, Robert A. - of 2941 Rt. 41 Cincinnatus, NY
-Conspiracy 4th degree
-Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree
- Rodriguez, Samuel H - ., of 1656 State (Left) Watertown, NY
-Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree
-Conspiracy in the 4th degree
- Todd, Jeremy R - . of 310 Idlewood Blvd. Baldwinsville, NY arrested at 555 S. State St. Syracuse, NY
-Criminal possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree
-Conspiracy 4th degree
- Carducci, Douglas T. - of 2007 W. Genesee St. #1 Camillus, NY
-Conspiracy in the 4th degree
- Townsend, Anthony F. - of 127 Green St. #1 Syracuse, NY
-Conspiracy in the 4th degree
Five defendants remain at large and arrest warrants for these five individuals have been issued.
Eight defendants have already pleaded guilty in Onondaga County Court. They are:
Eric Williams - pleaded to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third (2 counts) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh (2 counts). He was sentenced to four year determinate State Prison sentence-he also pleaded to a second indictment for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and was sentenced to an eight year determinate State Prison sentence to run concurrently with the first sentence imposed.
Bennie Smith - pleaded to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and was sentenced to an eight year determinate State Prison sentence
Walter Brown - pleaded to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and he received an eight year determinate State Prison sentence
Shawn Dunnell- - pleaded to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree. He was sentenced to a three year determinate State Prison sentence.
Joseph Rolfe - pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third (intent to sell), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third (weight over one-half ounce), and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree. He received a three year determinate State Prison sentence.
Vanessa Santiago - pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and was sentenced to a two year determinate State Prison sentence.
Shawn Cox - entered a guilty plea to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and received a two year determinate State Prison sentence.
Joseph Teta - entered a guilty plea to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third (three counts), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third (three counts) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh (three counts). His case is still pending.
“This investigation and the arrests announced today will not end our efforts to stop the influx of heroin in the Syracuse area,” District Attorney Fitzpatrick said. “The HIDTA task force is an outstanding example of how collaboration and coordination by federal, state and local law enforcement can put a serious dent in narcotics trafficking. We will continue to work together with our partners to end the proliferation of heroin into this community,” Fitzpatrick added.
"These arrests signal a united effort by law enforcement to deny sanctuary to those who sell drugs or guns," said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt. "Residents of the Onondaga County deserve a safe, drug-free place to live and play, and today they are closer to that reality."
