Lackawanna Man Pleads Guilty To Cocaine Charge

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Reginald Royal, Jr., 23, of Lackawanna, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of public housing property, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie G. Foschio. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, a fine of $2,000,000, or both.

"As this case shows, those who choose to turn public housing into a site for illegal drug dealing will pay a very heavy price upon conviction,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul.  “We applaud the residents of this project for taking a stand against such criminals."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward H. White, who is handling the case, stated that on July 9, 2014, the defendant sold crack cocaine to a confidential informant working with Lackawanna Police Officers. The controlled purchase occurred within 1,000 feet of the Gates Housing Project in Lackawanna, The housing facility is owned by the Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority. 
 
   On July 17 and July 18, 2014, Royal again sold crack cocaine base to a confidential informant. The controlled purchases occurred within 1,000 feet of the Baker Homes Housing Project in Lackawanna, another housing facility owned by the Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority. 
 
   Royal was arrested along with 17 others in December 2014. The defendant is the second defendant to be convicted. 
 
The plea is the result of culmination of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief James Michel.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.