COCAINE TRAFFICKING  ORGANIZATION  DISMANTLED

BUFFALO, N.Y.-- United States Attorney Terrance P. Flynn announced today that a Complaint was filed in United States District Court, charging MELINDA DONOVAN, JENNIFER WERTH, CHRISTINA A. SYPHAX, MELISSA CARSON, DAVID GARLOCK , ANTHONY COLE, JAMEY SPRY, CALVIN L. RICKARD, CHRISTOPHER L. REBMANN, SKIPPER R. MULVEY, WILLIAM E. MCDONALD, MICHAEL J. LONG, JERMAINE M. KIMMONS, WILLIAM J. HUNTER, RICHARD GILL, WAYNE E. CLINE, ALAN R. CAMPISANO, and SANDRA A. BOLT, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and use of a communication facility to commit a drug felony, carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. 

        USA Flynn also announces a second Complaint filed in United States District Court, charging JAMES WILLIAMS, TYRONE NANCE, ERIC S. TELBAN, RICHARD J. APPEL,  ERIC L. SWAIN, CHRIS MIDDLEBROOKS, MICHAEL J. KLOPFLE, MICHAEL J. OLEJNICZAK, WILLIAM P. LIVINGSTON, DAVID J. VOGT, DAVID J. ATHANS, MICHAEL MUSIAL, JOHN J. CORE, DAVID R. MURPHY, ALISSA A. ZAMITO, CARL CULVERHOUSE, and NICHOLAS MARRANCA, with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and marijuana and use of a communication facility to commit a drug felony, carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both.

        It should be noted that 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.  (Disciplinary Rule 7-107(B)(6)).

        According to USA Flynn, “This investigation and prosecution shows the United States government’s continuing commitment to prosecute those responsible for distributing drugs in our community.  It also demonstrates the results that can be achieved when federal, state and local law enforcement work together toward a common objective.”

        This investigation focused on the drug trafficking activities of Melinda Donovan and James Williams and their associates.  According to Assistant United States Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who is handling the prosecution of this matter, Melinda Donovan and James Williams allegedly operated a cocaine distribution organization that operated from several locations in Lockport, Amherst, Clarence and the City of Buffalo.  This investigation involved the use of court-ordered wire interceptions, undercover drug purchases, and traditional police investigative techniques.

        The Complaints were the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Buffalo Task Force Group of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Niagara County Drug Task Force, and Amherst Police Department.  The following other agencies participated in this investigation: Lockport Police Department, New York State Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Buffalo Police Department, Cheektowaga Police Department, ATF, ICE, Lancaster Police Department, Niagara Falls Police Department, Niagara Frontier Transportation Police, and North Tonawanda Police Department.