U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that Jermaine McQueen, a 46-year-old resident of Niagara Falls, NY, has pleaded guilty to the charge of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. The plea was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and carries a minimum penalty of five years in prison, with a potential maximum sentence of 40 years and a fine reaching up to $5 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who is managing the case, detailed that on August 28, 2024, search warrants were executed at multiple locations linked to McQueen. These searches resulted in the seizure of approximately 405 grams of cocaine, about 300 grams of fentanyl, six grams of crack cocaine, drug packaging materials, $10,625 in cash, and several pieces of jewelry identified as proceeds from narcotics trafficking. During the investigation phase, controlled purchases of fentanyl and cocaine were conducted by law enforcement from McQueen.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at using the Department of Justice's full resources to combat illegal immigration and dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). It also seeks to protect communities from violent crime perpetrators by integrating efforts through the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation leading to this plea involved multiple agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; Niagara Falls Police Department led by Commissioner Nick Ligammari; Niagara County Sheriff’s Department directed by Sheriff Michael Filicetti; North Tonawanda Police Department headed by Chief Keith Glass; New York State Police under Major Amie Feroleto; and Erie County Sheriff’s Department led by Sheriff John Garcia.
Sentencing for Jermaine McQueen will be scheduled at a later date.