July 29, 2014

Eight Additional Defendants Charged in White Plains Federal Court in Orange County Heroin Trafficking Conspiracy

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, George Venizelos, Assistant Director-In-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), Chief Ramon Bethencourt of the City of Middletown Police Department, announced the arrest of seven defendants and the unsealing of a Superseding Indictment charging a conspiracy to distribute over a kilogram of heroin in and around Orange County, New York. Fourteen defendants were previously charged in the case in November 2013. Three of the new defendants are also charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of the heroin distribution conspiracy.

U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “These defendants stand accused of spreading heroin across Orange County, with their destructive drugs backed by dangerous weapons. Now they will have to answer those charges, thanks to the cooperative efforts of the FBI and our local partners.”

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge George Venizelos stated: “Today, we announce the arrest of seven individuals who sought to traffic heroin in the Orange County area with the aid of firearms. The FBI remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate those who introduce drugs and other dangers into our neighborhoods.”

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico stated: “The new defendants being charged today were part of a heroin distribution network operating on the streets of Middletown. The New York State Police are committed to identifying and removing these dangerous drug dealers from our community. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners, to make sure our neighborhoods are safe and the individuals who choose to engage in this type of illegal activity are held accountable.”

The Superseding Indictment charges eight new defendants, DESIO ALLEN, a/k/a “T.O.,” 24, JUSTICE BEARD, 25, EBAN CARRION, a/k/a “Five,” 23, BARRY COOPER, a/k/a “B-Nyse,” 21, TAUREAN LIGHTFOOT, a/k/a “T-Streets,” 20, RICHARD LOCKETT, a/k/a “Wall Street,” 27, CLIFFORD SHAMSUNDAR, a/k/a “Face,” 22, and RASHID WESTON, a/k/a “Gutta,” 26, with conspiring to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, over a kilogram of heroin. The Superseding Indictment also charges ALLEN, COOPER, and WESTON with possessing firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy. MIGUEL MARGOLLA, 30, and CARLOS MARTINEZ, a/k/a “B-Way,” 24, who were previously charged in the case, are also named in the Superseding Indictment. MARGOLLA is charged with participating in the heroin distribution conspiracy. MARTINEZ is charged with participating in the heroin distribution conspiracy and possessing firearms in furtherance of the conspiracy.

The charge against each defendant and the corresponding maximum potential penalties are outlined in the chart attached to this press release.

Seven of the new defendants charged in the Superseding Indictment were arrested today or had previously been taken into custody. They were presented in White Plains federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy and were detained. One defendant, EBAN CARRION, remains at large as a fugitive. Mr. Bharara praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the City of Middletown Police Department, the New York State Police, the Orange County Sherriff’s Department, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (“ICE”) Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”), the U.S. Marshals Service, the Town of Wallkill Police Department, and the Town of Ramapo Police Department..

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gerber 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.