A pair of local brothers are scheduled to appear in federal court in Buffalo, N.Y., in March for a status conference on federal drug charges against them.
Richard Buterbaugh, 24, of Rew, and Ryan Buterbaugh, 19, of Bradford, are both charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 28 grams or more of crack cocaine, according to a federal criminal complaint.
Between March 31 and Sept. 8, in Cattaraugus and Erie counties in New York state, the brothers sold crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana, court records read.
The charges were filed by a special agent with the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services Division of Drug Enforcement, working in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
In June of 2015, the agent began investigating Richard Buterbaugh for allegedly distributing crack and cocaine in Cattaraugus and Erie counties. A confidential informant introduced an undercover police officer to Richard Buterbaugh for the purpose of making drug buys, court records read.
On March 31, 2016, both brothers were arrested by the Cheektowaga Police for possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Several individually wrapped bags of marijuana and a bag containing 51.7 grams of cocaine were found in the brothers’ vehicle during a traffic stop, along with Ryan Buterbaugh possessing a small baggie containing crack cocaine, the criminal complaint alleges.
Richard Buterbaugh was in possession of $1,875 in currency as well, the records read.
On June 14, 2016, the undercover officer purchased a half ounce of crack from Richard Buterbaugh for $1,200 in Springville, N.Y.; on July 15, the officer purchased 3 grams of crack for $325 from him in Salamanca, N.Y.; and on July 27, the officer purchased one ounce of crack from him in Salamanca, the criminal complaint read.
On Sept. 8, the undercover officer made arrangements to purchase two ounces of crack from Richard Buterbaugh in Ellicottville, N.Y. When the brothers arrived at the designated location, they were both arrested for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. When searched, Richard Buterbaugh was found in possession of $8,035; while Ryan Buterbaugh was in possession of $7,796, 56.7 gross grams of marijuana and 44 gross grams of “an unknown white substance contained in a white plastic baggie which Ryan Buterbaugh stated was baking soda,” the complaint read.
The brothers had rented a hotel room in Ellicottville. Police searched it and found two digital scales, drug packaging material and inositol powder — which police said was used to process cocaine and crack cocaine for sale, court records read.
Richard Buterbaugh provided a statement to police saying he’d been traveling to Buffalo for about six months to purchase crack cocaine, and had been selling about two ounces a week. He told police he had been purchasing it from a “black male in Buffalo named ‘Cue,’” court records read. He said Cue charged $1,650 for an ounce of cocaine or crack cocaine.
Ryan Buterbaugh gave a statement to police as well, telling them the same story about “Cue” in Buffalo. He told police that he distributes marijuana and his brother distributes the cocaine, court records read.
The two men are scheduled for status conferences in their cases on March 28 in Buffalo.
Ryan Buterbaugh is currently being held without bail in McKean County Jail in Smethport. He is facing drug charges in McKean County as well.
According to court records, it appears as though Richard Buterbaugh is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
