Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges Involving Perry Housing Projects

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Eric Ross, 24, of Buffalo, New York, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base within the Perry Housing Projects before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who is handling the Perry Projects case, stated that the investigation focused on the drug trafficking activities of Tyshawn Bradley, Darnell Brown, Dallas McLamore, and their associates. According to the indictment, Bradley, Brown, McLamore, and Eric Ross operated a cocaine base and cocaine distribution organization on a daily basis out of several apartments within the Perry Housing Projects, including apartments within the high-rise towers located at 124 Fulton Street and 305 Perry Street. Law enforcement utilized court ordered wire interceptions, undercover drug purchases, covert cameras, and traditional police investigative techniques to infiltrate and dismantle this organization.

On April 3, 2013, law enforcement officers executed search warrants at 124 Fulton Street and 305 Perry Street, during which they recovered over 300 grams of cocaine base and 700 grams of powered cocaine as well as a firearm.

“A year ago, we stated that we would not permit anyone to threaten the safety and security of people living in public housing,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul. “Thanks to this prosecution, children are now safe to play both inside and outside the Perry apartments, while residents can live in peace knowing that Eric Ross and others who sold drugs in these units have been convicted.”

Ross was arrested in April 2013 along with 12 others including Tyshawn Bradley, 28, and Nannette Brown, 45, both of Cheektowaga, New York; and Darnell Brown, a/k/a D, 29; Dallas McLamore, a/k/a Ice, a/k/a Dal, 29; Brandon Atkins, a/k/a YB, 27; Tashawn Gay, 23; Melvin Tucker, a/k/a Hoff, 24; David Varner, 55; Latifah Donaldson, a/k/a LaLa, 22; Tara Robinson, a/k/a Coek, 24; and Phayon Redmond, a/k/a Booper, 28, all of Buffalo. Ross is the second defendant to be convicted. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Matthew Renneman, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 13, 2014, at 9:00 a.m.