BUFFALO — A federal grand jury has indicted Valentino Shine, Sr., 49, of Buffalo, on charges of narcotics conspiracy, using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and commercial sex trafficking. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years and a $1,000,000 fine. In addition, co-defendant Jesse Lewis, 46, is charged with narcotics conspiracy, using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, being a felon possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which is punishable by a mandatory minimum five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a $1,000,000 fine. Also, Brittany Wieand, 25, of Buffalo, is charged with commercial sex trafficking, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trini E. Ross and Patricia Astorga, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, during the execution of a search warrant at Shine’s residence, law enforcement officers recovered crack cocaine and other drug paraphernalia. It is also alleged that Shine and Wieand ran a sex trafficking operation out of their Humboldt Parkway residence. The defendant provided or withheld drugs to coerce the victims to engage in commercial sex acts.
On Sept. 30, a search warrant was executed at the residence of Jesse Lewis on North Ogden Street in Buffalo. Officers recovered cocaine, other drug paraphernalia, and a firearm. Subsequently, on Oct. 31, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority police officers pulled over a car being driven by Lewis with Shine in the passenger seat. Officers recovered multiple bags of cocaine packaged for sale. In addition, Lewis and Shine each had $1,000 in cash.
Shine, Wieand, and Lewis are all being detained.
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