CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging James Fox, 38, of Cheektowaga, NY, with two counts of sex trafficking by coercion, distribution of heroin causing serious bodily injury, distribution of heroin and crack cocaine, using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas T. Cooper and Aaron J. Mango, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, between 2019, and May 2020, Fox is accused of coercing Victim 1, using force and threats, to engage in a commercial sex act. Between 2018, and 2021, Fox is accused of coercing Victim 2, also using force or threats of force, to engage in a commercial sex act. In addition, on March 3, 2020, Fox is accused of selling heroin to another individual, which resulted in serious bodily injury.
On February 3, 2022, investigators executed a search warrant at Fox’s residence on Beach Road in Cheektowaga, NY, during which they seized, among other items, a loaded shotgun; additional rounds of ammunition; Narcan; two electrical tasers; and a stun gun. The Government alleges that Fox frequently used his residence to distribute illegal narcotics and solicit prostitutes who were addicted to heroin and crack cocaine, and that Fox provided the prostitutes with illegal narcotics in exchange for sex acts.
The indictment is a result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, the Lancaster Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Karn. Jr. and Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Brian Gould.
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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