Buffalo Sector Border Patrol Agent Graduates From FBI National Academy Program

Grand Island, N.Y. – Buffalo Sector Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Lawrence J. Jay graduated on June 8, along with 263 law enforcement officers, from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Va. The 249th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 48 states, Washington D.C., and 24 countries. 

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, at the FBI Academy, provides selected officers the opportunity to support, promote, and enhance their personal and professional development within their agencies.

While there, Agent Jay participated in 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management, and physical fitness training provided by FBI instructional staff and special agents, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.

Attending the academy along with Agent Jay were officers from five other local law enforcement agencies including the Brighton, Niagara Falls, and Rochester Police Departments, and the Ontario Provincial Police.

Today, Agent Jay, along with his five local classmates, attended the concluding academy event, an “In/Out” luncheon hosted by the FBI Executive Team at the FBI building in Buffalo. The annual luncheon serves as a forum for recent graduates to speak on their knowledge and experiences gained from attending the academy. The graduates were also provided the opportunity to meet with and brief the local candidates selected to attend the 250th Session.

“The FBI National Academy is a platform that promotes life-long learning and fosters an environment of networking among a vast array of domestic and foreign law enforcement entities at the federal, state, and local levels,” said Agent Jay. “For example, when a cross-border event transpires, I can seamlessly reach out to a colleague and collaborate with that official in order to obtain the necessary assistance to effectively deal with the matter at hand.”

Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling (800) 331-0353 toll free.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

North Tonawanda Man Sentenced on Drug Charges

BUFFALO—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Anthony Lamarand, 32, of North Tonawanda, New York, who was convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine, was sentenced to 92 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael L. McCabe, who handled the case, stated that Lamarand was involved in a large-scale drug trafficking organization in parts of Niagara and northern Erie Counties between January and July 2009. During this time, Lamarand distributed, on average, one kilogram of powder cocaine every month to multiple customers in the Northtowns. The defendant also fled the area on July 30, 2009 as federal authorities attempted to execute an arrest warrant in this case. Lamarand was later apprehended near Atlanta, Georgia in August 2009.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota; the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff James Votour; the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent John Chella; and the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Askey.