DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Western District of New York

For Immediate Release

Thursday, February 20, 2014
William J. Hochul, Jr.
, United States Attorney
Contact: Barbara Burns

Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges as Jury Trial Was to Commence

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Wallace D. Peace, 39, of Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine, before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $8,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Clare Kane and George C. Burgasser, who handled the case, stated that between January 2008 and July 29, 2008, the defendant was intercepted over New York State wiretaps, on numerous occasions, discussing cocaine-related transactions. These included conversations between Peace and co-defendant Patrick Perry during which they attempted to arrange to purchase cocaine from multiple sources of supply. Other conversations between the defendant and his customers involved the purchase and sale of crack cocaine. 

On July 29, 2008, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Peace’s residence and seized digital scales, cell phones, packaging material, 129 grams of crack cocaine, small quantities of cocaine and marijuana, $1,157 in United States currency, and two firearms.

Peace was arrested along with 30 other defendants in July 2008. All 31 defendants now stand convicted. Testimony in the defendant’s jury trial was scheduled to begin today.    

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Acting Special  Agent in Charge, New York Region; Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Thomas J. Cannon, Special Agent in Charge; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 6, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.

 

New York Field Division