Member of 10th Street Gang Pleads Guilty to RICO Conspiracy Charge
| U.S. Attorney’s Office September 11, 2013 |
BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Melvin Medina, 27, of Buffalo, New York, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to a Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) conspiracy. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Tripi, who is handling the case, stated that the defendant was a member of the 10th Street Gang. Medina possessed firearms and sold crack cocaine and marijuana as a part of his participation in the 10th Street gang’s activities.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of investigators of the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Michael Cerretto; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commission Daniel Derenda; and special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Brian P. Boetig.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 24, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.