Michael Pacheco

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today that Michael Pacheco, aka Michael Dominguez, 27, of Dunkirk pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, 500 grams or more cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Tokash, who is handling the case, stated that between July 2016 and May 2, 2017, Pacheco “conspired with co-defendant Fred Santiago to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine in and around the Western District of New York.”

Pacheco obtained cocaine from Santiago for sale and distribution to others, Tokash said.

During the time of the conspiracy, Pacheco made at least two undercover drug sales to law enforcement officers on April 19, 2017, and April 26, 2017. On May 2, 2017, Pacheco was arrested and found with cocaine, which was intended for sale.

Today’s plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb; the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; the Evans Police Department, under the direction of Chief Douglas Czora; the Dunkirk Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Ortolano; and the Chautauqua County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Joseph Gerace.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 20, 2018, at 3:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.