News & Events

  • The Buffalo Club agrees to pay $1.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations related to Paycheck Protection Program loan eligibility
    on April 17, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced today that The Buffalo Club has agreed to pay $1,500,000 to resolve allegations that it improperly obtained a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which it was not eligible to receive. 

  • Buffalo man arrested on cocaine charge involving shipments from Puerto Rico
    on April 17, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Daniel Lopez-Rivera, 40, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. 

  • Buffalo man sentenced for his role in credit card scam
    on April 17, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Angel Valentin-Martinez, 34, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, was sentenced to serve five years supervised release and pay restitution totaling $13,098 by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. 

  • Grand jury indicts Lockport man on charges of enticement of a minor and production and possession of child pornography
    on April 16, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an 11-count indictment charging Damon Singleton-Spencer, 33, of Lockport, NY, with enticement of a minor, three counts of production of child pornography, and seven counts of possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. 

  • Rochester man arrested, charged with production and receipt of child pornography and enticement of a minor
    on April 16, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Kenneth Tootle, 37, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with production of child pornography, enticement of a minor, and receipt of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life. 

  • Cheektowaga man pleads guilty to production and possession of child pornography
    on April 16, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Dustin Coffelt, 36, of Cheektowaga, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to two counts of production and one count of possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 30 years, and a $250,000 fine. 

  • Buffalo man going to prison on gun and drug charges
    on April 16, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Gilbert Santiago, 39, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

  • Prior felon pleads guilty to drug and gun charges
    on April 15, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Robert L. Robinson, 50, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of firearms, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. 

  • Rochester man going to prison for his role in financial fraud scheme involving stolen checks
    on April 14, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Sheldon Marquis Adams, 26, of Rochester, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. 

  • Buffalo man pleads guilty to his role in narcotics conspiracy
    on April 14, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Steven Hoskins, 44, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to distribute cocaine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $10,000,000.  

  • Grand jury indicts Jamestown man and Buffalo woman on narcotics conspiracy charge
    on April 10, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Brandon Murray, 41, of Jamestown, NY, and Latika Saintkitts, 35, of Buffalo, NY, with narcotics conspiracy, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. In addition, Saintkitts is charged with distribution of crack cocaine and fentanyl. 

  • Grand jury indicts Buffalo man on multiple COVID related fraud charges
    on April 10, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a 10-count indictment charging Brandon Millender, 24, of Buffalo, NY, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and concealment money laundering, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a fine up to $500,000. 

  • Two Jamestown men charged in superseding indictment with selling fentanyl causing serious bodily injury, Hobbs Act robbery and kidnapping
    on April 9, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging Blake D. Smith a/k/a Sweets, 50, and Willie Graham a/k/a Wu, 45, both of Jamestown, NY, with narcotics conspiracy, Hobbs Act Robbery, kidnapping, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. In addition, Smith is charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and distribution of fentanyl causing serious bodily injury. Both defendants face a maximum of life in prison. 

  • California man going to prison for more than 10 years for his role in cross country narcotics conspiracy
    on April 9, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that La D. Huynh, 43, of Chula Vista, California, who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, was sentenced to serve 126 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

  • Rochester man pleads guilty to drug and gun charges
    on April 8, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Juan Sosa, 30, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford to possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $10,000,000. 

  • Jamestown man going to prison for his role in Jamestown drug conspiracy
    on April 8, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jaquez Thomas, 22, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 96 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

  • Buffalo man pleads guilty to drug charge
    on April 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Antonio Rivera-Perez, 23, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $250,000. 

  • Olean man pleads guilty to drug charge
    on April 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Isaiah Josiah Dre Riley, 23, of Olean, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000. 

  • Prior felon arrested, charged following incident involving shooting of police officer and standoff
    on April 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Christopher Marcinkowski, 39, of Dunkirk, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with maintaining a drug involved premises and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. 

  • Jamestown woman sentenced for her role in narcotics conspiracy
    on April 2, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Anabell Santiago, 53, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 40 grams or more of fentanyl and cocaine, maintaining a drug involved premises, and being a user of a controlled substance in possession of firearms, was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

  • Registered sex offender arrested on multiple new child pornography charges
    on April 1, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that John Peterson, 42, of Jamestown, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution and possession of child pornography by a person with a prior child pornography conviction, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $250,000 fine. 

  • Florida man who traveled from Florida to Western New York to have sex with a minor going to prison
    on April 1, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Jose Francisco Cardoso Tehovnik, 23, of Orlando, Florida, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 132 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. 

  • Prior felon going to prison on drug and gun charges
    on March 30, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Eric Rivera, 39, of Niagara Falls, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute of 400 grams or more fentanyl and being felon in possession of ammunition, was sentenced to serve 70 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. 

  • Albion man going to prison for receipt of child pornography
    on March 30, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Norman Kelly, 69, of Albion, NY, who was convicted of receipt of child pornography, was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. 

  • Jamestown man going to prison on meth charge
    on March 27, 2026 at 12:00 pm

    U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Aaron Miller, 32, of Jamestown, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine, was sentenced to serve 120 months in prison by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.