Buffalo Felon Pleads Guilty To Multiple Federal Drug & Gun Offenses

Monday, October 28, 2024, 7:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BUFFALO, NY.- On Tuesday, October 23, 2024, Nader Ngoopos, 25, of Buffalo, New York, appeared in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge James L. Sinatra, Jr. to Conspiracy Possess with Intent to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Cocaine; Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute 100 Grams or More of Heroin; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence; and Being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition.

     According to U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, beginning in 2016 and lasting through late 2018, Ngoopos conspired with others to obtain cocaine and heroin in the Buffalo, New York, area and then travel to Olean, New York, to distribute cocaine and heroin.

     Ngoopos personally traveled to Olean weekly, selling cocaine and heroin out of various locations in Olean, including North 8th Street and South 11th Street. Co-conspirators also sold cocaine and heroin as part of the conspiracy weekly.

Participated In University Armed Robbery

     On October 15, 2018, Ngoopos participated in an armed robbery at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, with two others. The three gained entry to a dormitory at the university, where they broke into a dorm room where they believed they would find marijuana and money. Once inside the room, Ngoopos, who possessed a handgun during the break-in, pointed it at the heads of two occupants inside the room, threatened them, and then stole about an ounce of marijuana and around $300 to $400 in cash.

     On September 2, 2021, Police Officers spotted Ngoopos entering a vehicle in Buffalo, New York. When Police Officers attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop, Ngoopos fled Police, leading them on a high-speed pursuit. As the car came to a stop on East Amherst Street, Ngoopos fled the scene on foot, dropping a pistol, but was apprehended a short distance away. 

Ngoopos Knew He Was A Prohibited Person

     Ngoopos knew when he possessed the pistol on September 2, 2021, he was prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition due to his 2020 felony conviction in Cattaraugus County Court.

     During Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Sinatra accepted Ngoopos’ guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for February 21, 2025, at which time Ngoopos faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to life in federal prison and up to a $5,000,000 fine.