BUFFALO—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul,
Jr. announced today that Pauline Manuel, 57, of Buffalo, New York, pleaded
guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to commit
money laundering. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a
fine of $500,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C.
Moscati, who is handling the case, stated that Manuel shipped a package
containing nearly $110,000 from Buffalo to Houston, Texas at the request and
direction of her son, David Manuel, and others. David Manuel pleaded guilty on
June 1, 2012 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to
distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. He admitted to conspiring with
others to purchase up to 20 kilograms of cocaine at a time in Houston for
transport and resale in Buffalo.
Pauline Manuel was arrested along with
19 others for their involvement in a multi-kilogram cocaine distribution
network. She is the 17th defendant to be convicted.
The plea is the culmination of an
investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in
Charge Christopher M. Piehota; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the
direction of Wilbert L. Plummer; Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field
Division; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under
the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Frank Christiano.
Sentencing is scheduled for September
28, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
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