Nine Nabbed in Federal Drug Bust

By: Casey J. Bortnick

Nine Rochester men, accused of operating an open air drug market, are facing federal drug charges after a four year investigation into the sale of crack cocaine on the city's northeast side.

Earnest Baker, Keith Ruther, Leandro Jones, Matthew Latson, Printice Latson, Cedric Lewis, Robert Baxter, Eric Bradley, and Jamar Nelson were all named in a five-page federal indictment unsealed Friday. All nine are charged with narcotics trafficking and possession of firearms.

Federal prosectors say getting these men off the street will make this part of Rochester safer overnight.

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It's a problem that's plagued these streets for decades.

In 1995, the U.S. Attorney William Hochul, prosecuted Samir Herbawi. Herbawi was selling cocaine and guns out of a minimart on Rochester's northeast side.

Seventeen years later...

“Sometimes it's replacements for people that we charge,” said Hochul.

Hochul announced law enforcement had broken up a similar operation in the same area.

"This time, across the street from where our 1995 prosecution took place."

In 2008, investigators began collecting evidence of an open air drug market in the Mark Street/Hudson Avenue area. Police say it didn't take long to uncover a large street operation, selling crack cocaine outside a minimart and even a church.

"Some of their customers were from the city, and a majority of their customers were from the suburbs, coming in and buying drugs, and the men would use firearms to protect their street level drug dealing,” said Scott Heagney, ATF agent.

Police say violent incidents in this area are common, like the December 28th shooting of Matthew Latson near the Hello Hudson mini mart.

"The violence is what we try to address and if we have to use the narcotics enforcement to accomplish that goal, then we do it," said Chief Jim Sheppard of the Rochester Police Department.

Friday, Latson and eight others were named in a five page federal indictment. ATF agents recovered 280 grams of crack, five kilos of cocaine, and firearms.

Hochul says this neighborhood is a lot safer.

"We're talking about an immediate improvement in the quality of life for the residents,” Hochul said.

Police know the problem isn't solved.

"A lot of times you're going to have people who will the gaps. We make an arrest, they fill the vacuum," said Sheppard.

Hochul hopes this bust will send a stronger message than it did 17 years ago.

"That if caught, they similarly be incarcerated,” said Hochul. "Long term, it will remain to be seen."

Seven of the nine men named in the indictment have been taken into custody. Three were in federal court. Hochul hopes this bust will encourage people who live in areas where illegal activity is going on to call police.