Brandon Washington, also known as B Mack, age 40, of Rochester, New York, has pleaded guilty to federal drug and gun charges. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Washington entered his plea before U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., admitting to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute at least 100 kilograms of marijuana, as well as possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. These charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and could result in up to life imprisonment along with an $8 million fine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory, from May 2021 through July 21, 2022, Washington led an operation distributing marijuana from several drug houses across Rochester. He managed distribution sites on St. Paul Street and Sixth Street and stored drugs at two residences on Laser Street in the city. The drug houses were fortified with firearms, stocked with pre-packaged marijuana for sale, and individuals were paid by Washington to deliver and sell the drugs.
On July 14, 2022, police executed a search warrant at the St. Paul Street location where they seized marijuana, scales, drug ledgers, and $8,254 in cash. Subsequent searches on July 16 and July 21 at the Sixth Street residence resulted in the seizure of more marijuana, about $13,390 in cash, and four firearms. Another search on July 21 at one Laser Street residence uncovered large amounts of packaged marijuana for sale and five firearms; gun traces linked these weapons to other shootings that took place during summer 2022 in Rochester. At another Laser Street address—Washington’s own home—officers found additional quantities of marijuana and over 100 rounds of ammunition; as a convicted felon he was not allowed to possess ammunition.
The investigation into Washington’s activities began after the murder of Rochester Police Department Investigator Anthony Mazurkewicz and the assault on Investigator Sino Seng during a shooting incident on July 21, 2022; Mazurkewicz died from his injuries. Kelvin Vickers—a co-conspirator—was convicted for Mazurkewicz’s murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Investigators also looked into a double homicide that occurred on July 20th involving victims Richard Collinge and Myjel Rand; co-conspirators Kelvin Vickers, Deadrick Fulwiley, and Raheim Robinson were convicted for those murders—with Vickers and Robinson receiving life sentences while Fulwiley was sentenced to thirty years.
“The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department under the direction of Chief David Smith; the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives under Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller; [and] Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A Tarentino III New York Field Division.”
Sentencing for Brandon Washington is set for December 18th before Judge Geraci.
