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Press Release

Jamaican National Indicted On Drug Trafficking, Bribery, And False Statement Charges

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a five-count indictment charging Damion Christopher Alexander Brown, 40, of Buffalo, NY, with conspiracy to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana, maintaining dug involved premises, bribery of a public official, and material false statement. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, over a nine month period between 2012 and 2013, Brown trafficked 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. In addition the defendant is accused of maintaining a stash house on East Delavan Avenue in Buffalo and bribing a United States postal carrier for help receiving drug shipments. The indictment further states that Brown made false statements regarding his citizenship.

The defendant was arraigned this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy. He is being held pending a detention hearing on November 19, 2015, at 2:00 p.m.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Cohen, the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Acting Inspector in Charge James Buthorn, the United States Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Monica Weyler, Eastern Area Field Office, Philadelphia, PA, and the Amherst Police Department, under the direction of Chief John Askey.

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.

Updated November 18, 2015