His son is expected to be arraigned at a later date. "Its no secret how badly and for how long the government sought the indictment of my clients father, attempting to cooperate anyone and everyone with even a passing knowledge of him including his own son in their efforts," said Lichtman, whose high-profile clients have included Sinaloa drug cartel kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, John A. The OAGs Investigations Bureau is led by Chief InvestigatorOliver Pu-Folkes. Federal and local law enforcement recovered more than a kilogram of cocaine, half a kilogram of methamphetamine, 14 firearms, and nearly $1.6 million dollars in cash during a drug bust at a two-bedroom home in southeast Dallas last week, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah. Other members of the Downtown Associates, known as the 50 Gang a reference to the high-capacity magazines that they attach to their firearms, which allow them to hold up to 50 rounds of ammunition were utilizing Snapchat to post videos and pictures of illegal weapons, which they and their fellow members used to carry out their gang violence activities. Civitello Sr. has prior federal convictions for cocaine trafficking and money laundering, the prosecutor stated. The twomenhad "returned to retrieve the drugs they forgot," police said in a press release. The Democrat announced that the Office of National Drug Control Policy has heeded his call and granted Schenectady County's request to be designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area . Members of the 50 Gang range from 18 years old to 25 years old, and they are considered by law enforcement to be responsible for numerous drive-by shootings and homicides that have been plaguing the City of Albany over the past year, including the recent fatal shooting of an 18-year-old in downtown Albany. City Council President Marion Porterfield, also a Democrat, says Schenectady and the Capital Region present an abundance of opportunities for drug trafficking. Mar 22, 2021 Woman Arrested, 183 Grams Of Suspected Heroin/Fentanyl Seized In Glen Burnie Drug Bust A 28-year-old woman was arrested Saturday following a drug bust during which police. The investigation, codenamed Operation Garage Days, includedcovert surveillance and hundreds of hours of wiretaps. police around the globe continue to thwart the illegal efforts of drug traffickers who only find more creative ways to do their jobs. Press Release. Police: Schenectady drug raid results in arrest of nine AG: 54 charged charged in Fulton County-centric drug ring; Stretched to The ring then distributed it to. An official website of the United States government. All rights reserved. A second, unrelated, raid last week resulted in the arrest of two others, Police sergeant leads top earners in Saratoga Springs for 2022, Proctors Theatre moving forward with microgrid, Biz Beat: Making a mothers dream come true with restaurant on Broadway in Schenectady, Plans for downtown park along Schenectady's Jay Street moving forward, Weekend snowstorm brings power outages to Capital Region. Now, the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School graduate is facing federal drug and weapon charges in Albany and is being investigated in a separate cocaine-trafficking case involving a reputed Bonanno crime family associate from New Jersey, according to court papers filed in U.S. District Court. TwoNew Yorkmenwere taken into custody aftertheyallegedly leftdrugs inarental carand returnedto pick up theirforgotten stash,theAlbany County Sheriffs Office says. Today, we are putting an end to their efforts that put New Yorkers in harms way. The State of New York, its officers, employees, and/or agents shall not be liable for damages or losses of any kind arising out of, or in connection with, the use or performance of such information, including but not limited to, damages or losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy of any such information, or damages incurred from the viewing, distributing, or copying of such materials. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The Berkshire District Attorney is warning about the presence of a dangerous sedative in the supply of local street drugs. It depends, Albany Sheriff: Pair arrested for illegal gun possession, Crossgates Mall opening at noon due to weather, Snow begins falling in Capital Region during latest, DEC: Anglers hoard panfish in catch and release area, New area code coming to the Hudson Valley, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Christopher Millington, 37, of Gansevoort, Christopher Williams, 53, of Gloversville. Through operations, such as Cross Town Quarantine, we remain committed to working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners to ensure that our communities remain safe. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. During the course of the investigation, investigators intercepted communications in which Sahib Braan, Miguel John, Christian Mitchell, and Jordan Thomas plotted and attempted a home invasion robbery of a rival narcotics trafficker in Gloversville. Barnett said the younger Civitello's 2020 tax return listed his business as "sales" and placed his total income at $66,273. Main Office: Sign up below to find out about upcoming programs first. And even from once you get into the Capital Region, it's easy to get to other smaller towns and places like that.". Updated Jun 17, 2022. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. A fifth indictment also charges two Uptown Associates with weapons possession. A total of 54 people were indicted for their roles in distributing heroin laced with fentanyl, powder and crack cocaine, and methamphetamine to Fulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Albany, Rensselaer,. Morris is being charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker, which carries a mandatory life sentence in state prison. "In 2020, there were 165 fentanyl deaths. Civitello was not in the Jeep at the time, but had been spotted by investigators two days earlier meeting with the three men charged in that case, including Richard Sinde, 56, a reputed Bonanno crime family associate from Fort Lee, N.J, the prosecutor said. The transfer took place when both Civitellos were receiving unemployment benefits "dubiously claiming" they had lost their jobs at the father's company, prosecutors said. Five Saratoga County residents picked up in state drug bust. However, the "Google Translate" option may assist you in reading it in other languages. Todays takedown was the result of a joint investigation between the Office of the Attorney Generals (OAG) Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), the Albany Police Department, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force. NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL. In Italian, it translates to "The Family is Everything.". Prosecutors said another $319,387 was found in a relative's home and that another $128,860 was found in the younger Civitello's Coinbase cryptocurrency account most of it transferred by his father in March 2021. Two days later, the same men who met the Civitellos in Schenectady were inside the SUV when authorities stopped the vehicle in Greene County. "We look forward to a hard-fought trial and vindication of Jeffrey Jr.". Rachael Ray's daytime show ending its run, media reports say, Samantha Humphrey case being treated as homicide, Man who shot, skinned dogs told twice they were not coyotes, Union leaders say New York state workforce could see mass exodus, Tour of Utica-area restaurants feels like trip around the world, Author Marianne Williamson becomes 1st Democrat to formally challenge Biden in 2024, Schenectady construction business and his son, Bonanno crime family associate Richard Sinde. February 21, 2023. As New Yorkers and Americans across the country witnessed the greatest number of drug overdose deaths in history in 2020, the defendants here were allegedly flooding our streets with the very types of drugs that caused this devastation.. The investigation dubbed Operation Crosstown Quarantine centered on two rival crosstown gangs in Albany and included the use of physical surveillance, electronic surveillance, and undercover operations. What to know. The Warren County Sheriffs Office is looking to identify the person police believe is involved in a theft that occurred at Jims Wine & Liquor. At 22, Jeffrey Civitello Jr. appeared to be riding high, but his story took a downward turn on Oct. 21 when federal drug investigators raided his home on the top floor of a Schenectady building. Select a Language Below/Seleccione el Idioma Abajo. Several Civitello relatives were in court Thursday. In addition to law enforcement partners, Attorney General James would also like to thank Albany County District Attorney David Soares for his assistance in this investigation. At least 78 people arrested in bust of two massive drug operations in Central New York Posted: Jul 7, 2021 / 04:07 PM EDT Updated: Jul 8, 2021 / 05:45 PM EDT Thank you to the attorney general for her leadership and to all involved who work towards bringing those who cause harm to justice., My message to violent criminals continues to be clear: If you possess an illegal gun in Albany, we will do everything in our power including partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities to find you, arrest you, and put you in jail for a very long time, said City of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. As New Yorkers and Americans across the country witnessed the greatest number of drug overdose deaths in history in 2020, the defendants here were allegedly flooding our streets with the very types of drugs that caused this devastation. The case is being prosecuted by OAG OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Andrew McElwee, under the supervision ofOCTF Upstate Deputy Bureau Chief Maria Moran. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. He also agreed to. The investigation was directed byJohnstown Police Detective Blaine Walker, under the supervision of Detective Sergeant Jonathon Silva and Johnstown Chief of Police David Gilbo; as well asOCTF Detective Michael Connelly, under the supervision of OCTF Supervising Detective John Monte and OCTF Deputy Chief Investigator John McManus. Market data provided by Factset. ALBANY A Schenectady man pleaded guilty Monday to illegally possessing a firearm as a felon and possessing and conspiring to distribute marijuana, federal prosecutors said.