Two Rochester Residents Charged With Cocaine Conspiracy

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Cesar Martinez, Jr., 30, and Milton Miranda, Jr., 30, both of Rochester, NY, were arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and possessing with intent to distribute, 500 grams or more of cocaine. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie M. Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on May 12, 2020, postal inspectors intercepted a suspicious package mailed from Puerto Rico to a Rochester address. After obtaining a warrant to search the parcel, investigators discovered 1,055 grams of cocaine secreted in the package. On May 14, 2020, Martinez and Miranda arrived at the Lexington Station Post Office to pick up the package. Postal employees gave the package to Miranda, and as Miranda and Martinez were exiting the post office, they were arrested by police.

The defendants made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian W. Payson and were detained.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, under the direction of Inspector-in-Charge Joseph W. Cronin, Boston Division; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division; and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron Singletary.

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.