United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, United States Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division and U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jake Seright, 40, of Niagara Falls, New York, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as possession with the intent to distribute 10 grams or more of fentanyl. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

 Assistant U.S. Attorney Misha A. Coulson, who is handling the case, stated that on July 19, 2019 investigators obtained a federal search warrant for the defendant’s Zito Drive apartment in Niagara Falls. In anticipation of executing the search warrant, investigators conducted surveillance in the vicinity during the afternoon and evening hours of Aug. 5, 2019. At approximately 11:20 p.m., a vehicle stop was conducted of a vehicle the defendant was driving. A quantity of marijuana was recovered from Seright, who was arrested at that time.

On Aug. 6, 2019, investigators executed the search warrant at the Zito Drive apartment and seized approximately two kilograms of cocaine and 88 grams of suspected fentanyl from the apartment.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing on Aug. 9, 2019.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the DEA Buffalo Resident Office and the Niagara Falls Police Department.

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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