PRIOR FELON GOING BACK TO PRISON FOR 16 YEARS ON FENTANYL AND GUN CHARGES

U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Walter H. Bennett, 34, of Rochester, NY, was sentenced to 192 months (16 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa. Bennett was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, 10 grams or more of a fentanyl analogue, and 500 grams or more of cocaine, as well as possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey, who handled the case, stated that Bennett, a two-time convicted felon, was a leader of a drug trafficking organization that distributed large quantities of fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl (a lethal fentanyl analogue), and cocaine in Rochester, NY, and Augusta, Maine. The organization operated a drug house on Woodward Street in Rochester, where they sold drugs. They also stored controlled substances, firearms, magazines, and ammunition at residences on Argo Park and Clairmount Street.

During the investigation, law enforcement seized: 158 grams of fentanyl, 11 grams of para-fluorofentanyl 580 grams of cocaine, over $20,000 in drug proceeds six firearms (including two stolen weapons and a defaced handgun), hundreds of rounds of ammunition, and seven magazines.

Co-defendants Sentenced: Tyrik Edwards: 160 months (13 years, 4 months), Ray C. Mack, Jr.: 135 months (11 years, 3 months), and Steven Jackson: 48 months (4 years).

This sentencing resulted from an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan; the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter; the Rochester Police Department; and the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, under the direction of Chief David M. Smith.