Walter H. Bennett, a resident of Rochester, NY, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for his involvement in drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross. Bennett, aged 34, was found guilty of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute substantial amounts of fentanyl and cocaine, along with possession of firearms linked to drug trafficking activities.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brett A. Harvey detailed that Bennett led a drug trafficking organization distributing significant quantities of drugs such as fentanyl and its analogue para-fluorofentanyl in the Rochester and Augusta, Maine areas. The group operated a drug house on Woodward Street in Rochester where they sold these substances. Controlled substances and firearms were stored at locations on Argo Park and Clairmount Street.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized approximately 158 grams of fentanyl, 11 grams of para-fluorofentanyl, 580 grams of cocaine, over $20,000 in drug proceeds, six firearms including two stolen ones and a defaced handgun, numerous rounds of ammunition, and seven magazines.
Bennett's co-defendants received various sentences: Tyrik Edwards was sentenced to 160 months; Ray C. Mack Jr., to 135 months; and Steven Jackson to 48 months in prison.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations led by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff Todd Baxter's direction, along with the Rochester Police Department and the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team directed by Chief David M. Smith.