STAFF REPORTS
BUFFALO — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Anthony Schmidt, 20, of Tonawanda, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of narcotics trafficking. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on November 16, 2018, Tonawanda police officers responded to a domestic disturbance at 652 Woodstock Avenue in Tonawanda. While on scene, officers received information that a male suspect, later identified as the defendant, had a gun. As officers began speaking with Schmidt, he took off running, leading officers on a chase. He was taken into custody as he attempted to jump a neighboring fence. The defendant resisted arrested. Officers recovered a loaded 9mm handgun in his front waist area.
Officers also recovered a backpack Schmidt was wearing which contained quantities of marijuana and suspected cocaine, and paraphernalia used for the processing and packaging of narcotics.
The defendant appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer today for a detention hearing and was released on electronic monitoring.
The complaint is the culmination of an investigation led by the Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jerome Uschold, III, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.
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.
All WNY is made possible thanks to coffee and sleep deprivation.
We appreciate your readership. We like money, too.
