STAFF REPORTS
BUFFALO — Travis Beckley, 63, of Miami, Fla., pleaded guilty to attempt to possess with intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana, before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that on August 10, 2016, the defendant attempted to receive a shipment of approximately 145 pounds of high-grade marijuana. The marijuana was in individual bags, each weighing approximately one pound, all of which were packed into four barrels in three wooden crates. These crateswere shipped from the State of Nevada to a storage locker located in Erie County, NY. Beckley traveled from Miami to Western New York, signed for the marijuana load, and was immediately arrested by law enforcement officers.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the Hamburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gregory Wickett.
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 28.
