CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX: (716) 551-3051
Buffalo, N.Y. – Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jordan R. Doane, 28, of Friendship, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that between January of 2011 and November of 2012, the defendant conspired to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Doane engaged in the practice of “smurfing” (buying small quantities) at local pharmacies to get around restrictions on purchasing products containing pseudoephedrine, an important chemical necessary in the methamphetamine manufacturing process.
The conviction is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), under the direction of Lieutenant Kevin Reyes and Major David Krause; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Division; the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb; the Wellsville Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy O’Grady; the U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent-in-Charge Steven Oldma; and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, under the direction of Captain Frank Lauricella.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 2, 2017, before Judge Vilardo.