Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BUFFALO, N.Y.- Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Julias Hall, 31, of Niagara Falls, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum penalty of life, and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that on November 10, 2016, a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s house on 38th Street in Niagara Falls. Police officers recovered a loaded .22 caliber pistol, ammunition, and approximately 50 grams of suspected cocaine.

The defendant made an initial appearance today before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for December 1, 2016, at 11:00 a.m.

The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Ashan Benedict, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division, and the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff James Voutour.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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