Canadian Resident Pleads Guilty in Drug Trafficking Case

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Robert Oliver, of Canada, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Arcara, to misprision of felony. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Burgasser, who handled the case, stated that between December 5, 2009 and January 22, 2010, the defendant was employed as a disc jockey at Rick’s Tally Ho in Cheektowaga, New York. As part of his duties, Oliver had supervisory responsibilities over the activities at the establishment. The defendant knew that heroin was being sold to employees but rather than report the crime, he concealed the activity and allowed the drug sales to take place.

Oliver was arrested along with 26 others in March 2010 following a joint federal, state, and local takedown at Rick’s Tally Ho in Cheektowaga and 24K Solid Gold in Hamburg. He is the 12th defendant to be convicted.

The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James H. Robertson.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 20 at 12:30 p.m. EST, in Buffalo, N.Y., in front of Judge Arcara.