Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Rochester Man Sentenced in Cocaine Trafficking Case


ROCHESTER—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Brian Leonard, 42, of Rochester, New York, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, five kilograms or more of cocaine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, was sentenced to 72 months in prison and a $1,500 fine by U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who handled the case, stated that between August 2003 and December 20, 2005, the defendant was involved with numerous others in a drug trafficking organization that was responsible for trafficking between 5 and 15 kilograms of cocaine in the Rochester area. Leonard and other members of the organization would travel to Chicago, Illinois, purchase multiple-kilogram quantities of cocaine from their Chicago-based suppliers, transport the cocaine back to Rochester, and distribute it to mid-level and lower-level drug dealers. Among other methods, members of the organization utilized a 1993 Cadillac equipped with a secret compartment to transport multiple-kilogram quantities of cocaine and avoid detection by law enforcement authorities. In furtherance of the drug conspiracy, the defendant possessed a rifle and shotgun at his residence. Also, on July 26, 2007, the defendant possessed approximately 60 grams of cocaine, which he intended to distribute to others.

Algernon Toole, one of the Rochester-based members of the organization, and his brother, Everette Toole, a Chicago-based cocaine supplier, were convicted on drug conspiracy charges after a jury trial in February 2010 and were sentenced to 240 months and 204 months in prison, respectively. Lawrence Williams, another Chicago-based cocaine supplier, was also convicted of a drug conspiracy charge and sentenced to 262 months in prison, to be served concurrently with a 240-month sentenced imposed for a separate federal drug conspiracy conviction in the District of Wisconsin. Frank Cavallucci, another Rochester-based conspirator, was convicted of drug conspiracy and firearms charges and sentenced to 84 months in prison and a $1,000 fine. Lazero Collado Montero, another Rochester-based member of the organization, was convicted of a drug conspiracy charge and also sentenced to 84 months in prison.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota; and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Sheppard.

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