Niagara Falls Man Sentenced for Obstructing Justice

BUFFALO, N.Y.---U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Maurice Ubiles, of Niagara Falls, N.Y., who was convicted of obstructing justice, was sentenced to 22 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated that the defendant lied to law enforcement officers about a controlled drug purchase he allegedly made from a target of a Niagara Falls Police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration narcotics investigation. As a result of the false information provided by Ubiles, the target was arrested and charged in federal court. The charges were later dismissed once law enforcement officers and the United States Attorney’s Office determined that the defendant had lied about the drug purchase.

“While the facts underlying this case are fortunately a rare occurrence, today’s prosecution and sentence demonstrate this Office’s commitment to pursue justice under all circumstances, as well as substantial punishment that will be given to anyone who deceives law enforcement in its efforts to fight crime," said U.S. Attorney Hochul.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Brian R. Crowell, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division, and the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Chief Bryan DalPorto.