SYRACUSE, NY – Derek Damuth, 25, Lowville, New York, was charged today by a federal grand jury with possessing with the intent to distribute in excess of 40 grams of a mixture of fentanyl and heroin, along with possessing additional amounts of cocaine and marihuana, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, Lewis County District Attorney Leanne K. Moser, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA) Raymond P. Donovan, and Acting New York State Police Superintendent Keith Corlett.
The charges in the indictment carry a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison, a maximum sentence of up to forty years in prison, and a fine of up to $5,000,000, along with a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least four years. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The defendant is currently incarcerated on state offenses, and will make his initial appearance on today’s charges on March 12, 2019, before United States Magistrate Judge Thérèse Wiley Dancks.
This case is being investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the New York State Police, with assistance from the Lewis County District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine A. King.
