ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Denzell D. Easter-Stevenson, 28, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl before Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford. The charge carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie M. Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that on November 28, 2021, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence on Smith Street in Rochester, recovering approximately 41 grams fentanyl and 4-ANPP, approximately 3.8 grams of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl, approximately 1.1 grams of fentanyl and tramadol, 108 glassine baggies of fentanyl packaged for sale, marijuana packaged for sale and approximately $1,207 in United States currency. In addition, a semiautomatic pistol loaded with one round of ammunition, a magazine loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, and a variety of ammunition was also recovered.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (GRANET), and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 2, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Wolford.
