SALAMANCA WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO HEROIN CHARGE

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. announced today that Amber Crouse, of Salamanca, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin before U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A, Wolford. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine. Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Burgasser, who is handling the case, stated that between February 2013 and February 2015, the defendant participated in a heroin conspiracy with co-defendant Carlos Laboy. Crouse sold heroin to confidential sources including one individual who claimed that the defendant sold heroin to the individual every day for one year. On February 5, 2015, a search warrant was executed at a residence on Gorton Street in Buffalo. Crouse was present along with Carlos Laboy. Officers recovered numerous baggies that contained heroin residue and three cellular telephones. One of the cellular telephones was a number that the confidential sources would contact to set up drug transactions.     Charges are pending against Carlos Laboy. 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.The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division. Sentencing is scheduled for May 31, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Wolford.