BUFFALO—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul,
Jr. announced today that David North, Sr., 43, of Buffalo, New York, pleaded
guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to conspiracy to possess
with intent to distribute marijuana. The charge carries a maximum penalty of
five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine
Baumgarten, who is handling the case, stated that North conspired with Derek
Frank in his drug distribution activities in Buffalo. The defendant was paid to
drive a pickup truck in which marijuana was hidden from Phoenix, Arizona to
Buffalo for Frank. Derek Frank then distributed the marijuana to his customers
in the Western New York area.
Derek Frank pleaded guilty to conspiracy
to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, and money laundering
conspiracy in February 2012 and will be sentenced on July 9, 2012. In addition,
Transportation Safety Administration employee Minetta Walker, U.S. Airways
employee Tinisha Tucker-Anthony, city of Buffalo employee Regina McCullen, and
Miguel Guzman, were each convicted for their roles in the drug trafficking
conspiracy.
The plea is a part of the ongoing
investigation on the part of special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota;
Transportation Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security,
under the direction of Federal Security Director, Derek DePietro; U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations, under the
direction of James C. Spero; and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,
under the direction of Wilbert L. Plummer, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New
York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 3,
2012 at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
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