Defendant Sentenced for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Sell

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Deron Rhone, 30, of Buffalo, was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan. Rhone received a determinate sentence of 10 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., Erie County Sheriff's Office deputies conducted a traffic stop after observing the defendant fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Berkshire Avenue and Parkridge Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The deputies determined that the defendant was driving with a learner driver permit and operating a pickup truck with a suspended registration. During an inventory search of the impounded vehicle, a plastic bag containing several ounces of suspected cocaine was found inside of a bucket in the bed of the pickup truck. A deputy also recovered a digital scale with white residue from the defendant's pocket while placing him under arrest. The Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Laboratory determined that the powder inside the bag and the residue on the scale was positive for cocaine.

In January 2026, Rhone pleaded guilty to one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (Class A-I felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class B felony). The defendant entered a guilty plea to all counts in the indictment as his jury trial was scheduled to begin.

DA Keane commends Deputy Salvatore Vaccaro and Deputy Jackie Feggans of the Erie County Sheriff's Office as well as the Erie County Central Police Services Forensic Laboratory for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Anthony F. Perna of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Jamie E. Englerth of the Special Victims Unit.