Nicholas Pontore Provided Protection For Young Gunnerz Gang And Purchased Cocaine, Including While On Duty In Marked Police Vehicle
Defendant Sentenced To Two Years In State Prison And Two Years Of Post-Release Supervision
Pontore Was One Of 21 Defendants Implicated By Operation Trojan Horse Drug Bust In August 2015
ALBANY – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the guilty plea and sentencing of Nicholas Pontore, 30, formerly of East Greenbush, for his role in a major Capital Region drug ring that was operated by the Young Gunnerz, a violent drug gang that was based out of Troy. Pontore pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree before the Honorable Debra Young in Rensselaer County Court. Pontore was sentenced to 2 years in state prison and two years of post-release supervision.
Pontore, who was a Watervliet police officer at the time, was implicated for providing protection for the drug ring and purchasing cocaine from the Young Gunnerz on a nearly daily basis, sometimes while on-duty and in his marked police vehicle. Pontore resigned from the Watervliet police department on June 18, just days after the arrest of his primary contact with the Young Gunnerz.
“The Young Gunnerz were one of the biggest and most dangerous drug gangs in the Capital Region, and today another individual who supported their drug ring’s illegal activities is being held accountable,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Thanks to a close partnership with the State Police and local law enforcement authorities, this drug ring has been shut down and we are aggressively prosecuting those who were responsible for causing harm to so many throughout this region.”
“Today's guilty plea is an example of State and local law enforcement successfully working together to bring drug criminals and their supporters to justice," said New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico. "We will remain vigilant and continue to work closely with our State and local partners to break down dangerous drug operations and send those involved to prison." The drug ring was busted in August 2015 via Operation Trojan Horse, a joint law enforcement effort led by Attorney General Schneiderman’s Organized Crime Task Force and state and local authorities. The drug ring was found to have trafficked drugs from New York City throughout the Capital Region.
The drug ring was one of the biggest providers of cocaine, heroin, and illegal prescription drugs in the Capital Region. Gang members and their associates allegedly purchased large quantities of drugs from an unknown supplier in the Bronx, and then brought the narcotics back to Troy for distribution throughout Albany County, Rensselaer County, Saratoga County, and elsewhere in and outside of New York State.
State investigators also seized three handguns during the investigation. As outlined in indictments, members of the Young Gunnerz allegedly drove to Albany on April 19 and fired several shots at rival gang members in an attempt to intimidate them.
Just last week, Daquan Murray, aka ‘Benji Got The Juice,’ the ringleader of the drug operation, was sentenced to ten years in state prison and three years of post-release supervision, the stiffest sentenced allowed by law.
The case against the Young Gunnerz gang has resulted in criminal charges against 21 defendants. To date, 16 have pleaded guilty and five have not yet entered a plea.
The charges against the remaining defendants are accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) has now taken down 25 large drug trafficking gangs, made more than 580 felony narcotics arrests, and seized more than $1.5 million and more than 2,000 pounds of illegal drugs.
The investigation was conducted by OCTF Investigator Jonathon Molik, Investigator William Charles, investigators from the New York State Police, and with the assistance of Albany Police Department, Troy Police Department, Watervliet Police Department, Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rensselaer and Albany County district attorneys.
The case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Michael Sharpe. Deputy Attorney General Peri Alyse Kadanoff runs the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force. The Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice is Kelly Donovan.