CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that four defendants were arrested and charged in two separate criminal complaints with selling cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine and firearms in the Medina, NY, area.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, in October 2021, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force began investigating the drug trafficking activities of Ebony Shine, 36, of Rochester, NY, Nasir Shine, 20, Emmanual Taylor, 19, and Darrell C. Shine, 37, both of Medina, NY.
According to the complaint against Ebony Shine, Nasir Shine, Emmanual Taylor, between October 2021 and October 2022, the Task Force conducted a total of 14 controlled purchases, to include cocaine and fentanyl, and three firearms. Ebony and Nasir Shine and Emmanual Taylor are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, controlled substances, and face a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Darrell C. Shine, 37, of Medina, NY, is charged in a separate complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, a controlled substance, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years. Between October 2021, and November 2022, investigators conducted six controlled purchases to include methamphetamine, cocaine, and a firearm. In November 2006 and February 2011, Darrell Shine was convicted in Orleans County court of felony drug charges and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
During the course of the investigation and the execution of three search warrants at residences associated with the four defendants, investigators recovered six firearms, including an assault rifle and a tactical shotgun, ammunition, a quantity of cocaine, and drug packaging materials. Investigators also recovered approximately a pound of fentanyl, a half-pound of cocaine and $29,000 in cash, $20,000 of which was for one sale of over ¼ kilogram of fentanyl.
The complaints are the result of an investigation by the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force, under the direction of the Orleans County District Attorney’s Office and District Attorney Joseph Cardone, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Field Division, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Christopher Bourke, the Medina Police Department, under the direction of Chief Chad Kenward, the Niagara County Drug Task Force, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith.
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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