United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross and Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division announced today that Charles Jones, 49, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $2,000,000 fine. Jones also pleaded guilty to a violation of supervised release.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker, who is handling the case, stated that Jones was on supervised release following the completion of a 66-month prison sentence for a federal cocaine conviction. As a condition of his supervised release, on August 16, 2021, Jones reported to the U.S. Probation Office in Buffalo. While at the Probation Office, Probation Officers executed a search of Jones’s Broadway Avenue apartment. Jones had not reported this address as required, but U.S. Probation determined that he resided at this apartment. During the search, U.S. Probation Officers recovered quantities of crack cocaine, cocaine, and marijuana, a digital scale, $2,900 in cash, a Rolex watch appraised at $3,450, and two necklaces appraised at $1,350. According to the apartment complex’s manager, the defendant began leasing the apartment in March 2021.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Probation Department, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, and the DEA Buffalo District Office. 

Sentencing is scheduled for August 3, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.