News

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has reached a settlement with Community Bank, N.A. (CBNA) to resolve two allegations that customers at CBNA’s Orchard Park, NY, branch location were denied American Sign Language interpreters for complex banking services, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that John R. Bollinger, 24, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that John Stuart, 35, of Cheektowaga, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy to possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Maureen Holleran, 61, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to filing a false tax return, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a  fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Mario Pittman Jr., 30, of Buffalo, NY, with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Steven Gonzalez a/k/a Steven Hernandez, a/k/a Steve, a/k/a Stevie, a/k/a Unc, 48, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to sex trafficking by coercion, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jevon Flynn, 30, of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, a fine of $10,000,000.

 U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that James White, 32, of Lockport, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, fentanyl, and butyryl fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.

 U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Jeffrey Paden, 57, of Kennedy, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to possession of child pornography following a prior conviction, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal jury has convicted Jose Caceras, 39, of Jamestown, NY, of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of MDMA, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and maintaining a drug involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life.

A grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Hadi Matar, 26, of Fairview, New Jersey, with attempting to provide material support to Hizbollah, a designated foreign terrorist organization, engaging in an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and providing material support to terrorists. 

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Melissa Olson, 45, of Randolph, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with theft of mail by officer or employee, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.