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“Operation Babcock” was a year-long investigation run by the Attorney General Schneiderman's Organized Crime Task Force and the New York State Police's Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (C-NET) unit. Babcock is the nickname of a neighborhood in South Buffalo where much of the investigation took place.
"Drug networks like these in Western New York not only physically harm the individuals involved but also devastate entire neighborhoods with increased crime," said Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. "Operation Babcock has yielded quick results in putting criminals behind bars, and my office will continue to go after the individuals who saturate our communities with dangerous narcotics. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for helping us to make our streets safer."
The three individuals who pleaded guilty and will be incarcerated upon their sentences include:
· Michael Banks, 36, of Buffalo - Pleaded guilty to Attempted Conspiracy 2nd degree and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 24, 2012.
· Manuel Bracero, 20, of Buffalo - Pleaded guilty to B Felony, Criminal Possession of Controlled Substances 3rd degree and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 14, 2012.
· Mark Cousins, 21, of Buffalo - Pleaded guilty to C Felony Attempted Criminal Possession of Controlled Substances and is scheduled to be sentenced on October 24, 2012.
In addition to today's guilty pleas, Attorney General Schneiderman's office has already secured guilty pleas from ten other individuals for narcotic felony charges in connection with "Operation Babcock." Those individuals participated in two separate cocaine distribution networks centered in and around the Buffalo area. During the course of the investigation, several kilograms of cocaine and approximately $58,500 in cash were seized.
The first indictment is 95 counts and charges 22 defendants with Conspiracy, as well as Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. The second indictment charges three defendants with Conspiracy, Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.
The remaining defendants include (Hometown, Age):
| ROB ALESSI | West Seneca, NY, 29 |
| RASHEEM ALSTON | Buffalo, NY, 36 |
| JESSE BONNER | Buffalo, NY 38 (Pled) |
| JOSEPH BONNER | Buffalo, NY, 26 |
| SCOTT BUSH | Buffalo, NY, 50 (Pled) |
| JULIENE BYHAM | Buffalo, NY, 29 |
| MARK COUSINS | Buffalo, NY, 21 (Pled) |
| KEVIN DEAN | Buffalo, NY, 21 (Pled) |
| DANIEL DRISCOLL | Buffalo, NY, 26 (Pled) |
| PATRICK DRISCOLL | Buffalo, NY, 25 (Pled) |
| DANIEL FINO | Lackawanna, NY, 26 |
| WESLEY FISH | Buffalo, NY, 25 |
| GREGORY GIOIA | West Seneca, NY, 22 (Pled) |
| RICHARD HIMBURY | Tonawanda, NY, 40 |
| RICHARD ISCH | East Aurora, NY, 24 (Pled) |
| LAURIE KOZAKOWSKI | Batavia, NY, 41 |
| DAVID LINK | Tonawanda, NY,42 (Pled) |
| JUSTIN MILLS | Depew, NY, 32 |
| SEAN RANSFORD | Buffalo, NY, 22 (Pled) |
| ANTHONY "MUGGS" SARGENTE | Buffalo, NY, 24 |
| MICHAEL SYLVIA | Buffalo, NY, 25 |
| JOSEPH SANNA | Buffalo, NY, 43 (Pled) |