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Press Release

Buffalo Man And Woman Indicted On Multiple Drug And Gun 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, NY—U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Frankie Cook, 26, and Shawntee Ellison, 26, both of Buffalo, NY, with narcotics conspiracy, possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin and 40 grams of fentanyl, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses. The charges carry up to 65 years in prison.  In addition, defendant Cook is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles E. Watkins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, in February 2020, the defendants conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and used a residence on Dartmouth Avenue in Buffalo to manufacture, use, and distribute the controlled substances. Cook and Ellison also possessed a firearm in furtherance of their drug trafficking activities. On February 11, 2020, in Erie County Court, Cook was convicted of a felony and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Erie County Probation Department, under the direction of Commissioner Brian McLaughlin; the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Robert Guyton.

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.              

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Updated June 17, 2020

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses