Grand jury indicts prior felon on drug and gun charges

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a three-count indictment charging Robert L. Robinson with possession with intent to distribute cocaine,  possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of firearms. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on June 7, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Robinson’s Buffalo residence. During the search, investigators recovered quantities of suspected cocaine and marijuana, $35,869.00 in cash, two firearms, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. One of the firearms was reported as a duty weapon stolen from a member of the Miami Dade Police Department on July 18, 2019. After the execution of the search warrant, Robinson was taken into custody.

Robinson was previously convicted of felony crimes in 2003 and 2011 and is legally prohibited from possessing firearms.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia. 

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.