Upstate Drug Sweep Results In The Arrest Of 21

Attorney General Spitzer, Monroe County District Attorney Michael Green and Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick today announced the breakup of two cocaine trafficking rings based in Rochester and Syracuse.

Authorities arrested 21 individuals in early morning raids in Monroe, Onondaga and St. Lawrence counties involving more than 80 law enforcement officers. Over the course of the investigation authorities seized seven pounds of cocaine, four pounds of marijuana and cash totaling more than $90,000. The drugs seized have an estimated street value of more than $300,000.

The action follows unsealing of two indictments obtained by a coalition of law enforcement agencies led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF).

According to the indictments, the two drug rings obtained cocaine and marijuana from various sources in New York City and distributed drugs in Rochester, Syracuse and outlying areas. The Syracuse ring operated as far north as Ogdensburg, and the Rochester network extended to Steuben County.

"Close cooperation by law enforcement agencies is producing real results in fighting drug trafficking in upstate communities," Spitzer said. "Our coalition in committed to continuing this fight and doing the utmost to make our streets and neighborhoods safer."

Today’s action is the result of a lengthy investigation led by OCTF in conjunction with numerous other agencies, including the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (GRANET), the City of Syracuse Police Department, the New York State Police, Investigators with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, Irondequoit Police Department, Brighton Police Department, Webster Police Department, East Rochester Police Department, Gates Police Department, Town of Greece Police Department, City of Rochester Police Department, Ogdensburg Police Department.
The following defendants were arraigned on an indictment unsealed today before Onondaga County Court Judge Anthony Aloi:

Leonard Asper, 50, Bobby Brown, 32, Roosevelt Brown, 36, and Joanne Ruggiereo, 35, all of Syracuse; Brian Dority, 41, of Ogdensburg; James Dorsey, 43, of Rochester; John Petty, 50, of Mexico (Oswego County); and David Robinson, 36, of Lyons.

Brown and Dorsey are each charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a class "A" felony. If convicted they face a maximum sentence of life in state prison.Each of the other defendants charged in the Onondaga County indictment is charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, a class "B" felony. It carries a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in state prison.

In a second indictment unsealed today, the following defendants were arraigned before Monroe County Court Judge John Brunetti:

Mary Jane Brownyard, 47, and Eric Young, 36, both of Rochester; Calvin Hughley, 39, Eugene Luteran, 54, and Joanne Ruggireo, 35, and Bradley Welch, 41, all of Syracuse; Aleyda Michel, 30, and Jimmie Reed, 38, both of Greece (Monroe County); Radames Meyreles, 36, of New York City;
Alfonso Studymine, 32, North Chili; Remone Williams, 34, of Henrietta; and Robert Wilson, 35, of Addison.

Meyreles is charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. Michel, Reed, and Williams are each charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree. These charges are class "A" felonies. The remaining defendants are charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree.

Under a separate felony complaint, Eric Odom, 37, of Syracuse was charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree.

The breakup of the two drug rings is the latest effort by OCTF to combat drug trafficking in upstate communities. Several years ago, Attorney General Spitzer directed the Task Force to redeploy resources to help local law enforcement agencies combat drug rings operating across jurisdiction boundaries. In the last 19 months alone, more than 160 defendants from across the upstate region have been arrested for their role in illegal sales and distribution of cocaine, marijuana, and PCP.

The charges in today’s indictments and the prior cases are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Today’s cases are being prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Attorney General James Mindell of the Syracuse OCTF Office under the supervision of Christopher Prather, the Deputy Attorney General-in-Charge of OCTF.