Major Drug Bust in Utica New York
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has announced that fifteen Utica residents -alleged to have been involved in a major cocaine distribution operation - were arrested today. The fifteen Utica residents were allegedly involved in distributing cocaine throughout the Mohawk Valley. Each of the fifteen defendants is charged in federal court with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and in excess of 50 grams of crack cocaine. The fifteen Utica residents named are: Whitney Fowler (28), Andrew Wymes (29), Michael Austin (29), Harold Carr (29), Jermaine Gary (29), Rocky Rock (37), Kashif Shephard (22), Hugh Hill (34), Gino Placanica (32), Mark Baker (31), Michael Williams (36), Christopher Lagasse (26), Jayson Julio (31), Timothy Sweezey( 28) and Marvin Lopez(24). If convicted, the each defendant faces substantial prison time and fines. The minimum prison sentence is ten years. The maximum prison sentence is life. The maximum fine is four million dollars. The minimum period of post release supervision is five years. The following items have been allegedly seized in connection with the case: greater than a half a kilo of cocaine, around 125 grams of crack cocaine, over twenty thousand in cash, seven guns, and nine motor vehicles. Law enforcement officials are still on the lookout for four other Utica residents who have been charged in the case, but presently remain at large: Anthony Bonanza ( White Boy Tone), Christine Carr (Ghetto), Ormuzd Morales (Moose) and Pablo Goico. The following law enforcement agencies have been involved in the case: DEA, FBI, New York State Police, Utica Police Department, Oneida County Sheriff’s Department, Rome Police Department, New Hartford Police Department and the U.S. Marshall Service. Charges are merely accusations. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.