Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Wilson Man Arrested, Charged with Marijuana Possession and Illegal Possession of a Firearm
BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Kevin S. Wise, Jr., 30, of Wilson, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in the afternoon of September 2, 2020, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic incident complaint at the defendant’s residence on Youngstown Road in Wilson. Law enforcement interviewed the subjects, both of whom agreed to separate and no charges were filed at that time. During the course of an investigation, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office learned that Wise used methamphetamine and marijuana. Investigators also determined that the defendant grew marijuana behind his house. On September 6, 2020, Wise was arrested on a domestic complaint for two counts of Aggravated Harassment.
The following day, on September 7, 2020, investigators executed search warrants at the defendant’s residence, property, and vehicles. At the locations, they recovered several firearms, a bin of gun parts and magazines, approximately 126 grams of suspected marijuana, approximately 2.6 grams of suspected psilocybin mushrooms, two digital scales with brown residue, packaging materials, a large quantity of ammunition, and $2,717.00 in U.S. currency. Behind the garage, investigators discovered a pathway leading to 11 suspected marijuana plants and observed multiple trail cameras positioned throughout the back yard, woods, and location of the marijuana plants.
The defendant made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and is being held pending a detention hearing on September 15, 2020.
The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force, under the direction of Acting Sheriff Michael Filicetti; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division; and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
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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