Operation Impact results in arrests,
seizure of money, weapons, vehicles and drugs
Photos were taken Thursday morning in Sodus, by John Zornow

The investigation into the Michael Burton Organization began in 2006, regarding the sales of cocaine and marijuana by Burton and co-conspirators., Burton is known to have been a major supplier of cocaine and marijuana in the Wayne County Towns and Villages, affecting Sodus, Lyons, Clyde, Wolcott, Sodus Point, Newark, Palmyra, the Town of Macedon, as well as several locations in Ontario County (pictured above addressing WayneNet Press Conference at Sodus Town Court is U.S. Attorney Terrence Flynn.)

The Investigation developed information that Burton had been actively distributing cocaine and marijuana for 10 years in Wayne and Ontario Counties.

Michael A. Burton, 32, of 34 Gaylord Street, Sodus is charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree criminal possession of marijuana, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, two counts second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia. He was indicted in Wayne County Court.

He was classified as a multiple-pound marijuana dealer and a kilogram-weight cocaine supplier, who sold to middle level street dealers. The investigation identified 30 of Burton's customers, and additional charges are pending.

The preliminary investigation was conducted by Wayne County Narcotics Enforcement Team with the assistance of the Wayne County District Attorney's Office, State Police, State Police CNET, (Community Narcotics Enforcement Team-Western New York Region), United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Ontario County Sheriff's Office, New York State Parole, and the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force.

Also arrested:

• Dewayne Green, 40, of 15 Newark Street, Sodus. Third-degree criminal possession of marijuana, fourth-degree crim. possession of marijuana, seventh-degree crim. possession of a controlled substance, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.
• Barbara J. Green, 37, 15 Newark Street, Sodus. Seventh-degree crim. poss. of a controlled substance.
• Alan Snyder, 31, of Martville. Seventh-degree crim. poss. of a controlled substance, growing cannabis without a license, charges pending.
• Patrick Graham, 20, Martville, seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana.
• Rusty C. O'Dell, 47, Martville. criminal poss. of a controlled substance.
• Michael Alexander, 28, Rochester. Third-degree crim. poss. of a weapon; case pending Grand Jury in Monroe County.
• Gregory L. 'Fats' Battle, 42, of 39 Montezuma Street, Lyons. Fourth-degree criminal possession of marijuana.
• Nadine E. Brooks, 25, 1079 Brown Square Apartments, Ontario. Fourth-degree conspiracy.
• Curtis Scott Sr., 44, Rochester. Jamaican National marijuana supplier taken into custody by I.C.E. (Immigration Customs Enforcement) for Illegal Entry into the United States, and deported to Jamaica. Subject was one source of supply to the Burton Organization for marijuana responsible for 10 to 15 pounds weekly into Wayne County.

Police seized 10 automobiles, two motorcycles, 26 long guns, one handgun, $5800 U.S. currency, 2 lbs. marijuana, four oz. cocaine and cut agents

There were 12 Search and Seizure warrants issued

Members initiated Operation Grass Roots, which continued the investigation to the next level, when the Wayne County Narcotics Enforcement Team, State Police, The United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Rochester Office, U.S. Attorney's Office-Rochester, and the Internal Revenue Service, focused on the suppliers of Burton's high-grade marijuana, which was suspected to come from the northern New York border near Massena.

Investigators stated that the Leonard Organization was responsible for the distribution in Wayne, Monroe, and Ontario counties, in addition to supplying co-conspirators out of New York in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bloomington, Indiana, Asheville, North Carolina.

The organization was responsible for distributing $1,000,000 dollars worth of marijuana on a monthly basis, in addition to laundering their proceeds into real estate.

Arrested on federal charges of Possession with the Intent to Distribute, 100 or more Kilograms of Marijuana, in addition to conspiring to do the same.

Jamahl Leonard (also charged with money laundering) 594 Marsh Rd, Pittsford; James T. Knox, 32, of Webster, also charged with money laundering; Christopher Licata, 29, Rochester; Carl Martino, 27, Shortsville; Jason A. Montroy, 30, Canton; Steven R. Politowski, 26, Landenburg, PA; Daniel Woodward, 31, Penfield; Jeffrey Rayburn, 22, Ogdensburg; Terry A. Buda, 31, Williamson; Nathan Canary, 23, of Bloomington, Indiana; Tara Cunningham, 26, Philadelphia, PA; Levar Faniel, 30, Williamson; Matthew Fox of Ontario; Michael Burton, Sodus; Blake J. Francis, 21, Hogansburg.

NYS charges:

Charles E. Harris, Canandaigua, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (two counts), growing cannabis without license; he is in Ontario County Jail on $25,000 cash bail.

Outstanding Federal Arrest Warrants:

Francisco Franco, 34, Ashville, North Carolina and Jay C. Whitecrow, 49, of Cornwall Island, Canada.

Seizures during Operation Grass Roots:

$566,000 in cash, 190 lbs. marijuana with street value in excess of $500,000; six ounces Psilocybin Mushrooms; six vehicles; 20 long guns; five assault rifles; one handgun and two money-counting machines.

All defendants were processed and arraigned in U.S. Federal Court in Rochester.

Jamahl Leonard and Blake Francis were held in Federal custody, and the other defendants were released with condition.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges and seizures are possible, including multiple properties, and one business.

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