NY Cocaine Supplier to Rutland Group Imprisoned for 13 Years

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on April 18, 2012, Daniel Lugo, 26, of Watervliet, New York, was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine. Charged by indictment, Lugo and co–defendant Noel Delarosa, 31, of Schenectady, New York, were convicted of the conspiracy charge by a federal jury after a two–and–a–half–week trial in Burlington during May 2011. Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss also ordered that Lugo serve a five–year term of supervised release after his incarceration.

According to court records, Lugo was part of a Schenectady, New York group led by Delarosa that supplied more than 50 kg of cocaine and 2000 pounds of marijuana to a Rutland drug distribution ring led by John Orlando Brooker, Jr., 27, from early 2006 to summer 2009. Lugo and the Delarosa group also distributed cocaine in the Albany– Schenectady, New York area. During the conspiracy Lugo, Delarosa, Brooker and others obtained and possessed firearms in connection with their drug dealing. The Delarosa group obtained narcotics from multiple suppliers in New York and Arizona, including dozens of kilograms of cocaine from Orlando Pacheco, 45, of Bronx, New York. Pacheco was convicted of conspiring with Delarosa and Brooker by a federal jury after a two–week trial in Brattleboro during August and September 2011. On February 6, 2012, Pacheco was sentenced to imprisonment for 20 years by Senior United States District Judge J. Gavin Murtha. On October 27, 2011, Brooker was sentenced to 16 years and 8 months’ imprisonment by Chief Judge Reiss on guilty pleas to the conspiracy charge and charges of possession of a firearm in furtherance of the conspiracy and money laundering. Delarosa faces no less than 20 years’ imprisonment.

In addition to Lugo, Delarosa, Brooker, and Pacheco, 20 others were charged in a series of indictments and informations and convicted as members of the conspiracy. Each of the defendants was convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine, marijuana or both. Some were also convicted of firearms violations. The sentenced co–conspirators, their crimes of conviction, and their terms of imprisonment are:

•• Graytz Morrison, 26, of West Rutland, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana, Possession of a firearm by a felon, 180 months (April 7, 2011);

•• Jeremy D. Zullo, 23, of Pittsford, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana, Possession of a firearm in furtherance of the conspiracy, Money laundering, 126 months (October 19, 2011);

•• Michael Robert Ross, Jr., 27, of Shrewsbury, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana, Possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user, 120 months (October 3, 2011);

•• Shawn Francis, 29, of Wallingford, Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana, Aiding possession of a firearm by a felon, 60 months (February 8, 2011);

•• Donald Christopher Perkins, Jr., 23, of Rutland, Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana, Possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user, 60 months (June 28, 2011);

•• William Corey Warner, 22, of North Clarendon, Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana, 60 months (April 7, 2011);

•• Daniel F. Webster, Jr. II, 26, of Pittsford, Conspiracy to distribute 100 kg or more of marijuana, 60 months (April 14, 2011);

•• Miles Edwards, 24, of Rutland, Conspiracy to distribute marijuana and 500 grams or more of cocaine, 60 months (August 11, 2011);

•• Jerimiah Durfee, 23, of Rutland, Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, 48 months (September 12, 2011);

•• Moises Ortiz, 32, of Schenectady, New York, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana, 121 months (October 4, 2011);

•• Evelio Baro, 28, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, 50 months (August 30, 2011);

•• Zachary Adam Grant, 26, of Rutland, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana, 30 months (December 20, 2011);

•• Julian Victor Datil–Rodriguez, 26, of Rutland, Conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, Time Served (February 9, 2012); and

•• Alan Horick, 24, of Rutland, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana, Time Served (February 9, 2012);.

The following co–conspirators have entered pleas of guilty to the crimes noted below and will be sentenced later this year:

•• Thomas Luzader, 24, of Rutland, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana;

•• Brian Keith Domingo, 40, of Schenectady, New York, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana;

•• Tedmarlon Howlett, 28, of Yonkers, New York, Conspiracy to distribute cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana;

•• Antoine Mathis, 36, of Schenectady, New York, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine and 100 kg or more of marijuana;

•• Leroy Rice, 34, of Schenectady, New York, Conspiracy to distribute marijuana and 500 grams or more of cocaine; and

•• Herman Robinson, 35, of Schenectady, New York, Conspiracy to distribute 5 kg or more of cocaine.

United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin praised the three–year investigation of these crimes by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Assisting ATF during the investigation were the Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Marshals Service, NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force–Albany Division, Vermont State Police and its drug task force, Rutland City Police Department, Brandon Police Department, and Rutland County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan.

U.S. Attorney Coffin noted also that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood, a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF, Project Safe Neighborhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who violate federal gun laws. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhood and Project Safe Vermont, please visit PSN.gov.