Niagara Falls man pleads guilty to drug & gun charges

Submitted by the United States Attorney's Office

Western District of New York

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Edward Rollie, 49, of Niagara Falls, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, which carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who is handling the case, stated that, on Aug. 28, 2024, investigators executed search warrants associated with Rollie at a Spruce Avenue residence in Niagara Falls, where Rollie’s son resides. They recovered approximately 594 grams of fentanyl, approximately 683 grams of cocaine, and a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. In July 2002, Rollie was convicted of a federal felony drug charge in the Western District of Pennsylvania, and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. The investigation also included controlled purchases of fentanyl from Rollie.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the U.S. using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia; the Niagara Falls Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Nick Ligammari; the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti; the North Tonawanda Police Department, under the direction of Chief Keith Glass; the New York State Police, under the direction of Maj. Amie Feroleto; and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.