Gang member sentenced to 120 months in prison for role in violent narcotics trafficking ring
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and James J. Hunt, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) New York Division, announced that Boys Gang member Letorrance Travis, 30, of Buffalo, N.Y., who was convicted of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine, was sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wei Xiang and Paul C. Parisi, who are handling the case, stated that beginning in 2010, and continuing until February 24, 2015, the defendant conspired with other Schuele Boys Gang members and associates to sell illegal narcotics. The Schuele Boys Gang, which operated in the Schuele Street area of the East Side of Buffalo, is believed to be responsible for multiple acts of violence and the distribution of illegal narcotics including cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana.
Travis met with, obtained cocaine shipments from, and delivered cocaine payments to representatives and couriers of co-defendant Julio Contreras, who was a main drug supplier for the Schuele Boys. On November 6, 2011, law enforcement agents arrested Travis and two representatives/couriers of Contreras. Agents recovered approximately 24 kilograms of cocaine that had been delivered to or were destined for the Schuele Boys enterprise. Agents also seized approximately $170,000 in U.S. currency that were proceeds of the Schuele Boys cocaine trafficking.
Co-defendant Roderick Arrington was sentenced to serve life in prison for the murder of Quincy Balance in August 2012. Co-defendant Marcel Worthy was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison for the murder of Kevin Gray in December 2006. Co-defendants Aaron Hicks and Julio Contreras are awaiting sentencing.
Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation by the DEA, Buffalo Resident Office; FBI Safe Streets Task Force; the Buffalo Police Department; and the New York State Police. Additional assistance was provided by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office; the Edinboro University Police Department in Pennsylvania; the West Tennessee Judicial Drug Task Force; the City of McAllen, Texas Police Department; HSI Harlingen, Texas; and the FBI offices in Houston, Texas and Jackson, Mississippi.
