Two Buffalo Men Charged In A Second Superseding Indictment With Drug Distribution Which Resulted In Two Overdoses And An Overdose Death

Buffalo, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a second superseding indictment charging Dontrell Wise, 32, and Lamario Jones, 31, both of Buffalo, NY, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, butyryl fentanyl, fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine; possession with intent to distribute butyryl fentanyl; distribution of fentanyl causing death; and distribution of a controlled substance causing serious bodily injury.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, the indictment alleges that the conspiracy generally, and Wise specifically, between mid-November of 2017 and November 23, 2017, distributed fentanyl which caused the death of an individual identified as A.J. The “death results” charge is punishable by a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $1,000,000 fine. In addition, Jones is accused of distributing a controlled substance which resulted in two overdose incidents causing “serious bodily injury” to individuals identified as K.M. and K.P. The “serious bodily injury” charges are also punishable by a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $1,000,000 fine.

“To date, our office has charged nearly a dozen defendants with causing the overdose deaths of 19 people,” stated U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “Those lives represented 19 of our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and friends. Yet, for the first time ever in this District, this indictment also includes charges against two defendants for causing serious bodily injury by putting potentially deadly opiates into the hands of individuals who are struggling with addiction. That offense, like the death results offense, carries a 20 year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  As this charge highlights, these drugs not only kill but they cause serious injury to many in our community. To date, our efforts have rightfully been focused on saving lives, and that ongoing effort—thanks to law enforcement working with treatment providers, prevention specialists, and concerned citizens—seems to be working, as we are beginning to see a downward trend in the number of families losing loved ones to these deadly drugs. But our responsibility is greater than just saving lives. We must also work to ensure the quality of life and to protect our citizens from harm. It is something that the dedicated men and women of this Office do every day through their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and creatively utilizing all of the tools given to us by Congress to fight our battle on behalf of all of our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and friends.”

The defendants will be arraigned on June 25, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy.

A third co-defendant, Jerell Weathersby, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute butyryl fentanyl and is awaiting sentencing.

            The second superseding indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt.