BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Nathaniel Myers, a/k/a Stretch, 26, and Robert Fletcher, 29, both of Buffalo, NY, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in early June 2020, investigators learned that defendant Fletcher would be receiving a package of narcotics. On June 4, 2020, the DEA set up surveillance of Fletcher’s vehicle in the area of 827 Clinton Street in Buffalo. Investigators observed the defendant going in and out or opening the door and looking out the front unit of 827 Clinton Street during the morning. At approximately 11:00 a.m., a UPS vehicle pulled up and placed a brown package from San Diego, CA next to the side door of the front unit. Minutes later, Fletcher picked up the package and took it inside. A short time later, Fletcher left carrying a white plastic bag and got into his car. A Buffalo Police Patrol Unit attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop but the defendant sped away and engaged at a high-speed for approximately a mile before eventually pulling over on the eastbound side of Route 33 near the Best Street exit. At the entrance of Route 33 where Fletcher entered, a DEA Special Agent recovered a plastic bag that contained suspected marijuana. The defendant was charged with various motor vehicle offenses.
A K-9 search of Fletcher’s vehicle gave a positive alert for
narcotics near the rear seat of the vehicle. During a search of the
vehicle, investigators recovered telephones and a Walmart to Walmart
money transfer from the defendant to a family member of the individual
responsible for sending the cocaine to Fletcher. After tracing the route
that Fletcher traveled while eluding police officers, investigators
found a white plastic bag containing suspected cocaine near where the
suspected marijuana was previously recovered.
Investigators then placed a “sham” package in a white plastic bag near
the location where the suspected cocaine was recovered, and set up
surveillance. At approximately 7:50 p.m., after being released from
state custody, Fletcher's vehicle arrived in the area of the “sham”
package and stopped. A vehicle traveling behind Fletcher’s vehicle also
stopped. An individual exited that vehicle, picked up the “sham” package
and walked towards Fletcher’s vehicle.
During the investigation, investigators learned that Fletcher conspired with defendant Myers to receive and distribute narcotics, including cocaine. Myers had been in prison since 2018 for federal narcotics-related offenses. Myers was previously identified as a leader of the LRGP Gang, but he is now believed to be a member of the Milla Gangsta Bloods. Records from the Niagara County Jail where Myers has been held reveal that Fletcher has provided money to Myers while incarcerated.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
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.
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