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 Rose Smith, 66, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fetanyl, oxymorphone, oxycodone, and hydrocodone, before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that on February 7, 2014, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence on Littlefield Avenue in Buffalo. Officers recovered a large number of prescription pills, patches and two firearms. Subsequent analysis determined that the drugs and patches contained oxycodone, fentanyl, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and marijuana. Smith admitted that she sold the majority of her own prescriptions of fentanyl and oxycodone to drug customers. The defendant also sold prescription narcotics she received from at least two other people.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Divison and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 30, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.