Seven individuals from Western New York have been charged with drug distribution, including the highly potent opioid fentanyl, according to the state’s top prosecutor.
The Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF), in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Niagara Falls Police Department (NFPD), successfully confiscated a significant amount of illegal substances and cash. Under the leadership of Attorney General Letitia James, the investigation resulted in the seizure of nearly one kilogram of cocaine valued at $30,000, over half a pound of methamphetamine valued at $1,500, and more than one ounce of fentanyl valued at $1,600. Additionally, the authorities recovered over $4,000 in cash during the operation.
“Dismantling dangerous drug trafficking networks is essential to keeping our communities safe,” said James in a statement on Thursday. “These individuals sold a variety of deadly narcotics, including fentanyl, across Western New York, and now they are being brought to justice. I thank our partners in this investigation for their assistance in keeping New Yorkers safe.”
During the investigation, court-authorized wiretapping of cellular telephones was conducted by James. The wiretaps captured several conversations between the defendants, who often used coded and cryptic terminology to hide their illegal activities. For instance, they referred to cocaine as “soft,” “hard,” or “girl,” fentanyl as “food” or “boy,” and methamphetamine as “cream.”
According to the indictment, Ronnie Dupree, the main player in the trafficking network, is accused of buying significant amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine from Dion Anderson, Kenneth Pringle, Antwain Jackson, and other individuals involved.
Dupree and Jackson embarked on a journey from Buffalo to Jamestown in order to meet with customers and secure sales. Meanwhile, Anderson, operating from his residence in Buffalo, was involved in the distribution of cocaine. Among his clientele was David Vaughn and various others. In November 2024, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Anderson’s home, resulting in the seizure of over half a pound of cocaine, a scale containing traces of the illicit substance, and a sum exceeding $4,000.
Devan Huntington and Sabrina Leeper, who were part of the trafficking network, obtained different kinds of drugs from Jackson, specifically methamphetamine.
The seven individuals are facing charges in this indictment for their roles in the drug trafficking operation. The charges include multiple counts of Criminal Sale and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, classified as Class “A” and “B” felonies. Additionally, they are also charged with Conspiracy in the Second Degree, classified as a Class “B” felony.
The individuals named in the recently revealed indictment are as follows:
– Dion Anderson, 44, of Buffalo, New York;
– Ronnie Dupree, 47, of Buffalo, New York;
– Devan Huntington, 30, of Jamestown, New York;
– Antwain Jackson, 48, of Buffalo, New York;
– Sabrina Leeper, 50, of Jamestown, New York;
– Kenneth Pringle, 50, of Niagara Falls, New York;
– David Vaughn, 26, of Buffalo, New York
If they are found guilty on the most serious charges, Pringle could be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in prison, Dupree could face a maximum of 24 years, Anderson could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years, and Jackson, Huntington, Leper, and Vaughn could face a maximum of 10 years each.
