You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! As opioid deaths take their toll across Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer Counties, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's plan to beef up addiction services and fight the flow of drugs into the Capital Region has taken a key step. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The second conspiracy centers around the Downtown Associates gang and the leader of this drug distribution network: Tyshawn Morris, a/k/a Mac. Morris also employed a large network of sellers and resellers who primarily operated in Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties. 22-DEA-690017: A big drug bust i It's a loss of our society because they're not in it anymore, and they could be producing and helping, but it's also a loss to their families and their friends and it leaves a hole in the world.". Democratic Michelle Ostrelich, who is also running for state Senate in the new 44th district, chairs Schenectady County Legislatures Health, Housing and Human Services Committee. The defendant faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted of the charges. schenectady drug bust 2021william paterson university application fee waiver. On April 2, when the vehicle was stopped in Greene County, police found the 9 kilos of cocaine in a trap compartment in the trunk, Barnett told the judge at Civitellos detention hearing in October. My office will continue to pursue and hold accountable anyone who violates the law. A locked padlock Sign up below to find out about upcoming programs first. Thank you to the attorney general for her leadership and to all involved who work towards bringing those who cause harm to justice., My message to violent criminals continues to be clear: If you possess an illegal gun in Albany, we will do everything in our power including partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities to find you, arrest you, and put you in jail for a very long time, said City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. We will not stand for it. Since launching in 2017, SURGE has taken 644alleged traffickers off the streets. "Schenectady, along with other areas in the in the Tri Cities, became a place that was for high drug trafficking, because of its proximity to the highway, you can pretty much get on and off you know, very easily," said Porterfield. The charges in the indictments are merely accusations. Robert Gavin covers state and federal courts, criminal justice issues and legal affairs for the Times Union. During the course of the investigation, investigators intercepted communications in which Sahib Braan, Miguel John, Christian Mitchell, and Jordan Thomas plotted and attempted a home invasion robbery of a rival narcotics trafficker in Gloversville. Several Civitello relatives were in court Thursday. The investigation, codenamed Operation Garage Days, includedcovert surveillance and hundreds of hours of wiretaps. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. These cases were investigated by the FBI and its Capital District Safe Streets Gang Task Force, with assistance from New York State Police-Troop G, the Schenectady Police Department, the Schenectady County Sheriffs Office, the Schenectady County District Attorneys Office, the Internal Revenue Service, the Albany County Sheriffs Office, the Albany County District Attorneys Office, the Albany Police Department, the NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Office of Special Investigations, the Warren County Sheriffs Office, and the Troy Police Department. Operation Oxfordshire began earlier this year, identifying a southeast Queensland syndicate that was trafficking cocaine from Sydney. The year-long investigation led to the seizure of approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.5 kilograms of cocaine, 14 grams of heroin, four handguns, and $25,000 in cash. The Duncanville Police Department says its narcotics team was investigating the location after receiving a tip. The case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General and Senior Counsel Michael Sharpe, with the assistance of Confidential Assistant Stephanie Pitts and Legal Support Analyst AnnaLisa MacPhee, under the supervision of OCTF Deputy Bureau Chief Maria Moran. Categories: News, Schenectady, Schenectady County, More from Schenectady The Daily Gazette, More from Scotia and Glenville The Daily Gazette, Police sergeant leads top earners in Saratoga Springs for 2022, Proctors Theatre moving forward with microgrid, Biz Beat: Making a mothers dream come true with restaurant on Broadway in Schenectady, Plans for downtown park along Schenectady's Jay Street moving forward, Weekend snowstorm brings power outages to Capital Region. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. All rights reserved. They each face two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and one count of fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, both felonies, and one misdemeanor count of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. An official website of the United States government. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. "So I think that that's one of the reasons why people, you know, chose this as an area that they would use for that. They sent the judge 25 letters from Civitello's mother, sister, other family members, a former teacher, assistant principal and ex-tenants all attesting to Civitello's good character. SCHENECTADY -- A prostitution ring was busted by city police, with assistance from state troopers, Wednesday, resulting in charges for six women and two men. Born and raised in Albany, hes been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. As alleged in the indictments, unsealed in Albany County Court today, this year-long investigation seized nearly 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, 140 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, oxycodone, $40,000 in cash, and nine firearms, including one ghost gun., For the past year, Albany and the surrounding areas have been plagued by violent crime that has terrorized our communities and claimed too many lives, said Attorney General James. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. At 22, Jeffrey Civitello Jr. appeared to be riding high, but his story took a downward turn on Oct. 21 when federal drug investigators raided his home on the top floor of a Schenectady building. Additionally, a seventh person, Trevon Brunson, age 21, of Schenectady, is in state custody and will be arraigned at a later date on charges of distributing heroin. They are accused of possessing heroin, MDMA and cocaine at the location and of selling crack cocaine in Schenectady last month, according to police allegations filed in court. A fifth indictment also charges two Uptown Associates with weapons possession. The individuals are accused in those indictments of trafficking heroin, cocaine, oxycodone, and guns. Press Release. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the multi-agency investigation of this case, which also included the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland . These individuals have allegedly flooded our streets with dangerous narcotics and are responsible for many of the shootings that have been at the center of this devastation. The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. NEW YORK New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment of 54 members of a drug trafficking ring for their roles in distributing heroin laced with fentanyl, powder and crack cocaine, and methamphetamine to Fulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Warren counties sourced from New York City dealers. On Thursday, the elder Civitello pleaded not guilty at an arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Stewart. 15 arrested, accused in Capital District prostitution sting (CNYCentral File Photo) . Photos show Civitello working on construction sites and posing with family members. Kuntzsch had customers based in Montgomery, Fulton, Saratoga, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Civitello is now on his third and fourth attorneys, Syracuse-based attorneys Robert G. Wells and Derek S. Andrews. Barnett said the younger Civitello's 2020 tax return listed his business as "sales" and placed his total income at $66,273. Vincent Morton, 41, of Schenectady, NY; 04/20/21 - Town of Colonie. Lock ALBANY, N.Y. ( NEWS10) The New York Attorney General's Office has announced the indictment of 54 members of a drug trafficking ring. NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL. The prosecutor said theCoinbase figure was nearly all traced to a transfer of $101,440 from Civitello's father to him. The indictment is part of a joint investigation between the Office of the Attorney Generals Organized Crime Task Force, the Johnstown Police Department, the Gloversville Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office, the Amsterdam Police Department, the Schenectady Sheriffs Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the New York State Police. It depends, Albany Sheriff: Pair arrested for illegal gun possession, Crossgates Mall opening at noon due to weather, Snow begins falling in Capital Region during latest, DEC: Anglers hoard panfish in catch and release area, New area code coming to the Hudson Valley, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Christopher Millington, 37, of Gansevoort, Christopher Williams, 53, of Gloversville. February 21, 2023. Police also found the drugs out in the open, resulting in possession charges against each of the nine people police found inside, Lorusso said. Toronto Police made the biggest drug seizure in its history after seizing 1,000 kg. Anytime we remove large amounts of illegal drugs and firearms from our streets we save future lives and improve the publics safety, said, James and her offices Organized Crime Task Force agents, the FBIs Safe Streets Task Force members, and Albany Police Department officers for their work in bringing those who flood our local communities with illegal weapons and firearms to justice.. Those charged in todays indictment include: Walter Allen, 51 years old, Gloversville, NYDarnell Alston, 49 years old, Gloversville, NYZionna Belknap, 21 years old, Gloversville, NYEverett Russell Bishop, 48 years old, Wilton, NYToni Borromeo, 45 years old, Gloversville, NYSahib Braan, 30 years old, Troy, NYOctavius Brooks, 24 years old, Binghamton, NYLamar Brown, 35 years old, Gloversville, NYChristopher Clark, 39 years old, Amsterdam, NYLawrence Cross, 34 years old, Gloversville, NYDaniel Degnan, 30 years old, Gloversville, NYStephen Dingman, 27 years old, Gloversville, NYFloyd Everson, 47 years old, Port Jefferson, NYMegan Grubb, 32 years old, Gloversville, NYAlex Hanson, 26 years old, Potsdam, NYSean Hines, 38 years old, Gloversville, NYTina Jackson, 49 years old, Gloversville, NYRyan Jacques, 40 years old, St. Regis Falls, NYMiguel John, 26 years old, Saratoga Springs, NYDonald Johnson, 39 years old, Johnstown, NYJohn Kaminski, 43 years old, Fort Johnson, NYChristopher Kippen, 41 years old, Schenectady, NYAdam Krzeski, 37 years old, Gloversville, NYMichael Kuntzsch, 33 years old, St. Johnsville, NYThomas Laverpool, 30 years old, Brooklyn, NYAndre Lewis, 52 years old, Gloversville, NYDylan Mailloux, 30 years old, Little Falls, NYKenneth McKiver, 29 years old, Gloversville, NYErnest McMikle, 35 years old, Gloversville, NYShakona Mikula, 25 years old, Gloversville, NYDonovan Millhouse, 25 years old, Gloversville, NYChristopher Millington, 37 years old, Gansevoort, NYChristian Mitchell, 33 years old, Troy, NYKhalif Mitchell, 35 years old, Hudson, PAAdonta Moore, 24 years old, Gloversville, NYBrianna Nichols, 25 years old, Gloversville, NYBarbara Parker, 47 years old, Gloversville, NYWayne Platt, 37 years old, Gloversville, NYGeorge Ramson, 43 years old, Rotterdam, NYDalton Remines, 28 years old, Galway, NYJacquelynn Ross, 36 years old, Gloversville, NYDashawn Rowland, 27 years old, Gloversville, NYTessa Taylor, 26 years old, Mayfield, NYJordan Thomas, 23 years old, Troy, NYJaviel Tirse, 41 years old, Gloversville, NYSteven VanAllen, 43 years old, Gloversville, NYRoss VanAlstyne, 26 years old, Gloversville, NYClinton Waddell, 39 years old, Middle Grove, NYLaquan Warren, 26 years old, Brooklyn, NYChristopher Williams, 53 years old, Gloversville, NYHassan Wilson, 31 years old, Gloversville, NYJamar Wright, 38 years old, Johnstown, NY. Drug Bust on Highway Leads to 8 Years In State Prison (1-30-18 P v Shamel Greene) Michael Carr Sentenced for Colonie Car Crash (1-30-2018 P v Michael Carr) Guilty Plea for Illegal Weapon Charge (1-26-18 P v RONDUE GENTRY) . ALBANY A penthouse apartment. Nicole Keary is the Deputy Attorney General in Charge of OCTF. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The Office of Attorney General's website is provided in English. I thank Attorney General James and her staff for dedicating time and resources to these cases, said Albany County District Attorney David Soares. Have a question about Government Services? You can cancel at any time. Google Translate cannot translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. Drug bust uncovers enough fentanyl to kill 800K people 28 lbs. At the hearing, Barnett said Civitello had been using the Jeep every day and was well aware that it had been seized. You have permission to edit this article. The drug bust was the largest in Cayuga County in a decade, police said. Dangerous drugs have devastated too many communities throughout our state and claimed too many lives, saidAttorney General James. Market data provided by Factset. The shooting at a Dix Avenue home early Thursday morning stemmed from an earlier argument at another location, police said Friday. The drug sweep began Aug. 25 and ended Aug. 30 with the last. His son was arrested last year on drug and weapon charges. Prosecutors said another $319,387 was found in a relative's home and that another $128,860 was found in the younger Civitello's Coinbase cryptocurrency account most of it transferred by his father in March 2021. Washington, D.C. Man Convicted After Nine-Day Trial for Use of a Firearm in Connection with a Murder and a Robbery, and for a Drug Distribution Conspiracy. The OAGs Investigations Bureau is led by Chief InvestigatorOliver Pu-Folkes. If your child will play baseball or softball this spring, youll need to stock up on appropriate clothing and equipment. Police encourage members of the community to report suspicious drug-distribution-related activity to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. There, police arrested Lisa M. Medina, 37, of McClyman Street, Schenectady, and Shardar A. Tisdale, 29, of Robinwood Avenue, Rotterdam. A copy of this disclaimer can also be found on our Disclaimer page. I am glad to see the results of the coordinated efforts by the New York attorney generals Organized Crime Task Force, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, and the Albany Police Department to arrest these individuals who have caused significant trauma, not only to the families who have lost a loved one, but also to the many individuals and families who live in our neighborhoods and have concerns for their own safety. The following defendants were charged by indictment in unrelated cases: Conspiracy to distribute, and distribution of, crack cocaine. He also agreed to forfeit more than $400,000 in proceeds from the marijuana conspiracy, prosecutors said. are related to methamphetamine use. The Indictment alleges 39 overt acts that were committed in Schenectady in furtherance of the RICO conspiracy: 21 of the overt acts involve the distribution or possession of crack cocaine with. He admitted he conspired with others to sell marijuana, including from his residence, from at least May to October 2021, prosecutors said. Schumer has been seeking federal help to counter a new wave of overdose deaths. Five men are facing up to 25 years each in prison, after a major drug bust operation on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane ahead of schoolies. On March 31, 2021, investigators watched both Civitellos meeting in Schenectady with alleged conspirators, including the reputed mob associate, for the alleged purpose of borrowing the younger Civitello's blue 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Schumer addressed the issue during a rally with local advocates in June at the Addictions Care Center of Albany, promising to use his clout to get funding flowing to the Capital Region. The 54 are accused of roles in the drug trafficking ring, distributing heroin laced with fentanyl, powder and crack cocaine and methamphetamine, officials said. Official websites use .gov After reading about the Czech Republic cocaine bust . Federal and local law enforcement recovered more than a kilogram of cocaine, half a kilogram of methamphetamine, 14 firearms, and nearly $1.6 million dollars in cash during a drug bust at a two-bedroom home in southeast Dallas last week, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah. Schenectady father, son eyed in Mafia-linked cocaine investigation, DEC finds 14-foot python in New York suburb, National Grid moving to restore power after heavy snows, Former brewmaster at Druthers brewpubs wants look at books, Kingston barber who flouted Cuomo wins back license. unused or unwanted prescription drugs. This investigation is the direct result of the hard work done by members of the various agencies involved and shows just how effective law enforcement can be when working together. Two days later, the same men who met the Civitellos in Schenectady were inside the SUV when authorities stopped the vehicle in Greene County. I commend and thank Attorney GeneralLetitiaJames and her offices Organized Crime Task Force agents, the FBIs Safe Streets Task Force members, and Albany Police Department officers for their work in bringing those who flood our local communities with illegal weapons and firearms to justice., Our community, like many others, has struggled with an uptick in violence and too many innocent lives have been taken by gun violence in the Capital City, said State Assemblymember John T. McDonald III. A cat cafis coming to Rotterdam. A total of 54 people were indicted for their roles in distributing heroin laced with fentanyl, powder and crack cocaine, and methamphetamine to Fulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Warren counties. On March 31, Sinde, Robert Ingrao, 74, of Lodi, N.J., and a third man, Christopher Kelly, 54, of Brooklyn, met in Schenectady with both Civitello and his father to borrow the Jeep. The Democrat announced that the Office of National Drug Control Policy has heeded his call and granted Schenectady County's request to be designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. And even from once you get into the Capital Region, it's easy to get to other smaller towns and places like that.". These arrests are further proof that our partnerships with New York Attorney General Letitia James and the FBI are helping enhance public safety, and that we will continue to work alongside one another to bring violent individuals to justice.. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Five Saratoga County residents picked up in state drug bust. Fax: 315-448-0689. Todays takedown was the result of a joint investigation between the Office of the Attorney Generals (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), the Albany Police Department, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. P.O. For example, the resources in this investigation were leveraged to prevent multiple home invasions that suspects from other communities intended to commit in Gloversville. The influx of illegal weapons and drugs in our communities has left many people scared to even be outside in Albany. Drug Bust April 24, 2022 4:42 am . . ALBANY The owner of a Schenectady construction business and his son were charged in U.S. District Court on Thursday with conspiring to traffic an estimated $600,000 of cocaine in a Mafia-connected drug pipeline between the New York City area and the Electric City. Updated Jun 17, 2022. As a prior felon, the elder Civitello is prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm. Other members of the Downtown Associates, known as the 50 Gang a reference to the high-capacity magazines that they attach to their firearms, which allow them to hold up to 50 rounds of ammunition were utilizing Snapchat to post videos and pictures of illegal weapons, which they and their fellow members used to carry out their gang violence activities. Civitello was not in the Jeep at the time, but had been spotted by investigators two days earlier meeting with the three men charged in that case, including Richard Sinde, 56, a reputed Bonanno crime family associate from Fort Lee, N.J, the prosecutor said. Police raided 909 Crane St. on Sept. 4, an addressprosecutor Eamonn Neary identified as a business called Flawless Exchange. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. "Apparently they turned one last inmate and here we are," Lichtman said. NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced the indictment of 54 members of a drug trafficking ring for their roles in distributing heroin laced with fentanyl, powder and crack cocaine, and methamphetamine to Fulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Warren counties sourced from New York City dealers. Two people were arrested Monday on drug charges after police responded to a suspicious odor complaint. He is set to appear in courtat a later date. Todays takedown marks the latest major drug bust in the OAGs Suburban and Upstate Response to the Growing Epidemic (S.U.R.G.E.) In court papers opposing Civitellos release, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett suggested the defendant's family ties did not entirely help his case. Legal Statement. I thank our partners in law enforcement for their critical support in this takedown.. June 3, 2022 . At least 78 people arrested in bust of two massive drug operations in Central New York Posted: Jul 7, 2021 / 04:07 PM EDT Updated: Jul 8, 2021 / 05:45 PM EDT Google Translate cannot translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. Understanding Recent Changes to New Yorks Gun Laws, 54 Individuals Indicted for Roles in Distributing Heroin, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine. Rachael Ray's daytime show ending its run, media reports say, Samantha Humphrey case being treated as homicide, Man who shot, skinned dogs told twice they were not coyotes, Union leaders say New York state workforce could see mass exodus, Tour of Utica-area restaurants feels like trip around the world, Author Marianne Williamson becomes 1st Democrat to formally challenge Biden in 2024, Schenectady construction business and his son, Bonanno crime family associate Richard Sinde. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Those charged in the remaining indictments are: KAYONTEE BARTEE, 23 years old, Albany, NY PRINCE CURETON, 28 years old, Albany, NY PEDRO DAVILA, 26 years old, Albany, NY EL-SHAQUILLE DOUGLAS, A/K/A DOLO, 27 years old, Albany, NY ALVIN FOY, A/K/A BHIP, A/K/A CHIP, 18 years old, Albany, NY DREW GREENE, A/K/A/ DRIZZY, A/K/A TAY K, A/K/A SPRAY, 19 years old, Albany, NY NICHOLAS HIGGINS, A/K/A SLICK, 28 years old, Albany, NY KEION KIRKLEY, A/K/A HIT, 22 years old, Albany, NYJAHMERE MANNING, A/K/A SPLASH, 19 years old, Albany, NY ZAEQUIAL SHAW, 19 years old, Albany, NY KYMALE THOMPSON, A/K/A GLO, 18 years old, Albany, NYNEYLON WAGNER, A/K/A LOTO, 19 years old, Schenectady, NYDAION MORRIS, 28 years old, Rensselaer, NY, was charged in a separate, related indictment that was unsealed today containing 13 counts, charging him with Criminal Sale of a Controlled substance (class B felony).ESHAWN BERKLEY, 23 years old, Albany, NY, was charged in a separate, related indictment that was unsealed today containing 36 counts, charging him with Criminal Possession of a Weapon (C, D, and E felonies). April 28th 2021, 6:28 AM PDT. Rp 10s Rp 20s & Green 15s GWM, referring to prescription pills (boots) for sale, GWM (get with me), and what milligram strengths were available, 10mg pills, 20mg pills, etc. That's the last year we have data, there are only 120 were recorded in the region between January and September of 2021. During the course of the investigation, OCTF was able to establish that numerous members of the Downtown Associates were utilizing Snapchat in order to traffic illegal prescription drugs, namely oxycodone.