Utica, NY – An Ellenville man was sentenced Friday to three years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute and possess fentanyl and cocaine with intent to sell, federal and county authorities confirmed.
Justin Torres, 37, admitted to distributing approximately 580 grams of cocaine and 200 grams of fentanyl during the conspiracy. In addition to prison time, Senior U.S. District Judge David N. Hurd imposed a $5,000 fine and a 3-year term of supervised release following his release.
Part of Larger Drug Trafficking Ring
Torres was one of nine alleged drug dealers and motorcycle gang members, including seven Ellenville residents, who were indicted and arrested in 2023. Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa described the arrests as ending a “ring of lawlessness” during an October 2023 press conference.
The case involved 11 defendants in total, all of whom have either pleaded guilty or are pending sentencing:
- Joshuan Atkinson, Ellenville – 13 years in prison, 5-year supervised release
- Christopher Baez, Manhattan – 6 years in prison, 5-year supervised release
- Michael Herry – 2.25 years in prison, 3-year supervised release
- Daryl Livingston, Huguenot – 2 years in prison, 3-year supervised release
- Joshua Morales, Ellenville – sentencing scheduled Dec. 3
- Joseph Logan, Ellenville – sentencing scheduled Nov. 19
- Timothy Hutcherson – sentencing scheduled Dec. 17
Federal Authorities Praise Interagency Effort
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said the case shows the government’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking organizations in Ulster County. He emphasized the danger posed by fentanyl and cocaine and the importance of federal intervention.
“If these gangbangers had been charged locally, they would all be out on the streets in two hours continuing their acts of violence against our communities,” Sarcone said, criticizing New York’s cashless bail law and calling on lawmakers to reconsider its impact.
Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York, called the sentence “the result of a coordinated, intelligence-driven investigation that disrupted this organization’s fentanyl and cocaine distribution.”
Local Law Enforcement Collaboration
Sheriff Juan Figueroa called the arrests and prosecutions a collaborative effort, highlighting the role of the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team (URGENT) and other agencies in investigating and dismantling the drug network.
“Drug trafficking continues to affect local communities and is a nexus to crime spikes,” Figueroa said, praising law enforcement efforts for their dedication and long investigative hours.
The investigation involved:
- HSI New York
- Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and URGENT task force
- State Police
- Ellenville Police Department
- White Plains Police Department
- Assistance from the Ulster County District Attorney’s Office
This case also falls under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, which targets high-level criminal organizations in a multi-agency, intelligence-driven approach.
Impact of the Convictions
The convictions remove a significant fentanyl and cocaine pipeline from Ulster County, protecting residents from the dangers of opioid and cocaine distribution. Authorities continue to emphasize their commitment to pursuing drug traffickers and gang members to prevent further community harm.
What do you think of this crackdown on local drug rings? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
