STAFF REPORTS
BUFFALO — Terry Wilson, 39, of Rochester, pleaded guilty, before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins who is handling the case, stated that on June 26, 2017, during a vehicle and traffic stop, the defendant was found in possession of a Jimenez Arms, J.A. NINE model, 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, bearing serial number 375367, which was loaded with 11 rounds of 9 mm ammunition. The traffic stop was made after the defendant was observed driving southbound on Bailey Avenue at a high rate of speed. Upon stopping the vehicle, the officers recognized the defendant from previous contacts with him and knew that he did not have a valid driver’s license. The officers patted the defendant down and recovered approximately 3.71 grams of cocaine base from the defendant’s pockets. The defendant admits that he possessed the cocaine base with intent to distribute it.
Thereafter, the defendant’s passenger was removed from the vehicle and the firearm was recovered from within the passenger’s purse. The defendant admits the firearm belonged to him and that he maintained dominion and control over the firearm while he stored it in the passenger’s purse.
The defendant admitted that on or about July 19, 2012, in Erie County Court, he was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, which is a crime that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. The defendant further admitted that on or about June 22, 2005, he was convicted of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, which is a crime that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Steve Dickey and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Acting Commissioner Byron Lockwood.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 23.
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