11 Charged In White Plains Federal Court With Crack Cocaine Distribution

Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, William F. Sweeney Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Brian Ryan, Town of Greenburgh Police Chief, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging 11 defendants with narcotics distribution offenses in and around Westchester County, New York.  The defendants, RANDY SARGEANT, a/k/a “Black,” KELVIN GANPAT, JEANCARLOS LAUREANO, a/k/a “Rico,” CHRISTOPHER MARTINEZ, a/k/a “Panama,” HOWARD MEREDITH, WILLIAM BRITO, AMANDA COPPOLLA, JAMAAL PETERS, a/k/a “Mega Head,” BERT HICKSON, CHRISTINE MORRISON, and CRYSTAL MARTINE, were presented in White Plains federal court yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As alleged, these defendants were responsible for selling crack cocaine, a potentially lethal commodity that plagues far too many of our communities.  Thanks to the FBI and the Greenburgh Police, the defendants are in custody and facing federal criminal charges.”

FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said:  “The outstanding work of our law enforcement partners on the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force should give the community peace of mind that we are working every day to make their lives safer.  These groups pushing illegal drugs create chaos and violence which put innocent people at risk.  Our work going after these criminals won’t stop.”

Greenburgh Police Chief Brian Ryan said: “I would like state my appreciation for this outstanding example of what can be achieved when local and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate to maximize our efforts in battling drug trafficking in our communities. We are committed to maintaining our partnerships with all our law enforcement partners and staying vigilant in our efforts to keep our communities safe.”

As alleged in the Indictment unsealed today in White Plains federal court [1]:

From at least 2018 until September 2019, RANDY SARGEANT, a/k/a “Black,” KELVIN GANPAT, JEANCARLOS LAUREANO, a/k/a “Rico,” CHRISTOPHER MARTINEZ, a/k/a “Panama,” HOWARD MEREDITH, WILLIAM BRITO, AMANDA COPPOLLA, JAMAAL PETERS, a/k/a “Mega Head,” BERT HICKSON, CHRISTINE MORRISON, and CRYSTAL MARTINEZ conspired to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine.      

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All defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute 280 grams and more of crack cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.  

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Berman praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and the Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force.  The FBI Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the FBI, US Probation, ATF, New York State Police, Westchester County PD, Westchester County DAs Office, NYPD, Yonkers PD, Mount Vernon PD, Peekskill PD, Greenburgh PD and New Rochelle PD.  The Greenburgh Drug and Alcohol Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Greenburgh PD, Tarrytown PD, Sleepy Hollow PD, Dobbs Ferry PD, Ardsley PD, Irvington PD, Hastings PD and Elmsford PD.

This case is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Brumwell is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.