Former Afro Dogs National Vice President Sentenced on Drug Charges

BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Ricky Allen, 57, of Buffalo, New York, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, was sentenced to time served and five years’ supervised release by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. As part of his sentenced, the defendant is prohibited from any affiliation with the Afro Dogs Motorcycle Club or any another motorcycle gang.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas S. Duszkiewicz, who prosecuted the case, stated that the defendant was a former national vice president of the Afro Dogs Motorcycle Club. From 2009 through March 2011, Allen assisted co-conspirator John Smith in storing quantities of cocaine at his home.

Allen was intercepted on a wiretap of Smith’s telephone receiving directions for the packaging and distribution of the cocaine. The conversations also included discussion of information that Allen obtained in his position with the Buffalo Joint Commission to Examine Police Reorganization.

The defendant was ordered to forfeit a 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle, a vehicle, and approximately $28,200.

Allen was arrested in March 2011 along with 11 other defendants. A total of nine defendants, included Allen, were convicted. Eight of the defendants have been sentenced, while a ninth defendant, John Smith, died before his sentencing. Three defendants were acquitted following a jury trial.

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation on the part of special agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Jamie J. Hun, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Buffalo Field Office; the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig; the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Wayne Olson; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda; the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Askey; the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Anthony Palombo; the Lockport Police Department, under the direction of Chief Lawrence Eggert; and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations, under the direction Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Weirauch.