Albion man pleads guilty for cocaine distribution; $200K in cash seized

Press Release, Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force

Arthur Lewis Jr.

ALBION – An Albion man is facing drug charges  following an investigation into the sale and distribution of cocaine and crack cocaine in the village of Albion, the Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force said today.

The Task Force along with the Albion Police Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and NYS Corrections and Community Supervision executed a search warrant on July 1 at an Erie Street residence in Albion. The Task Force also executed a warrant on July 3 in Buffalo.

Police seized a quantity of cocaine, a digital scale and over $2,000 in cash at the Albion location and approximately $200,000 cash at the city of Buffalo location.

Arthur Lewis Jr., 38, of Erie Street in Albion charged with 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, intent to sell (B felony), and 1 count of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree (C felony).

Lewis is currently on parole for a previous drug and weapon conviction. He pled to a violation of his parole conditions at a hearing conducted by the NYS Corrections and Community Supervision on Sept. 15 and is serving 12 months for the violation.

This morning, Lewis appeared in Orleans County Court in front Judge Sanford Church and Lewis pled to attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell, a class C felony. He faces 3 1/2 to 9 years when sentenced on Dec. 3.

Also assisting in the investigation was the Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard, the Albion Police Department, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and K9,  the NYS Corrections and Community Supervision, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration asset forfeiture unit.