Rochester Man Who Led Drug Conspiracy Going To Prison For More Than 13 Years For Fentanyl Trafficking And Possessing Firearms

ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Tyrik Edwards, 31, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, and 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, was sentenced to serve 160 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who handled the case, stated that Edwards – a two-time convicted felon – was a leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed significant quantities of fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and cocaine in the Rochester area, and Augusta, Maine. Other members of the conspiracy included Walter H. Bennett and Ray C. Mack, Jr. The organization operated a drug house on Woodward Street in Rochester, New York, where they sold fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and cocaine to customers. In addition, controlled substances, firearms, and ammunition, were stored at various locations in Rochester, including the Woodward Street residence, along with residences on Argo Park and Clairmount Street. Fentanyl and drug proceeds were stored at an East Avenue apartment the residence of Edwards’ then-girlfriend, Quenteria Wilson, who lived there with her four-year-old son. During the investigation, law enforcement recovered approximately 158 grams of fentanyl, 11 grams of para-fluorofentanyl, and 580 grams of cocaine, along with more than $20,000 in drug proceeds, six firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and seven firearm magazines.

Ray C. Mack, Jr., and Walter H. Bennett were previously convicted. Mack was sentenced to serve 135 months in prison, Bennett is awaiting sentencing. Quenteria Wilson was convicted of misdemeanor possession of fentanyl and was sentenced to probation.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; and the Rochester Police Department and the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, under the direction of Chief David M. Smith.

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