Homeland Security Task Force investigation results in arrests of three men for their roles in narcotics trafficking operation

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Rodney Stanley, 58, of Greece, NY, Leonardo Gaskin, 36, of West Henrietta, NY, and Shanimba Nelson, 52, of Irondequoit, NY, were arrested and charged in separate criminal complaints for their roles in an illegal narcotics trafficking operation:

• Gaskin is charged with possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
• Nelson is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 milligrams or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
• Stanley is charged with possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The charges carry a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

According to the criminal complaints, the DEA, Rochester and Greece Police Departments, and the FBI have been investigating a narcotics trafficking organization responsible for the distribution of kilogram quantities of cocaine in Rochester and Albany, NY. This investigation has determined that members of the organization transport kilograms of cocaine from the New York/Tri State Area and/or Philadelphia, PA area to Rochester and/or Albany, for distribution.

According to the criminal complaint against defendant Gaskin, he is responsible for storing, packaging for distribution, and distributing cocaine, and collecting payment for the cocaine in the Rochester area. On October 8, 2026, Gaskin's vehicle was observed traveling from Rochester to the Philadelphia, PA area, where it stayed for approximately 15 minutes. The vehicle then traveled through the night and returned to Gaskin's E. Genesee Pointe Drive residence in West Henrietta, NY, on October 9, 2026. Gaskin was observed making multiple, similar, quick-turnaround-trips to the New York, New York/Tri-State and Philadelphia, PA-areas, which are believed to be source locations for the organization's cocaine. Also on October 9, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Gaskin's residence and on his vehicle, during which they seized approximately 23 kilograms of suspected cocaine, three cell phones, approximately $4,857.00 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. A search warrant was also executed at a stash house on Plymouth Avenue in Rochester, which was frequented by Gaskin. Investigators recovered approximately 1.9 kilograms of cocaine, two firearms, approximately $84,685.00 in cash, and drug paraphernalia.

According to the criminal complaint against defendant Nelson, he is responsible for storing, packaging for distribution, and distributing cocaine, and collecting payment for the cocaine in the Rochester area. On October 9, 2026, investigators executed a search warrant at Nelson's Pleasant Way residence in Irondequoit, NY, seizing approximately 146 grams of suspected crack cocaine, approximately 3.677 kilograms of cocaine, approximately $8,209.00 in cash, drug paraphernalia, and a loaded shotgun.

According to the criminal complaint against defendant Stanely, he is responsible for packaging for distribution, and distributing, cocaine, and collecting payment for the cocaine in the Rochester area. On October 9, 2026, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Stanley's Whispering Pines Road residence in Greece. Investigators seized a loaded pistol, approximately 1.23 kilograms of cocaine, and approximately $51,129.00 in cash. A search warrant was also executed at a suspected stash house on East Avenue in Rochester, which was frequented by Stanley. During that search, investigators recovered approximately 22 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 229 grams of bulk marijuana, approximately $10,255.00 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. Law enforcement also surveilled the house and observed Stanley entering and exiting the location and conducting narcotics transactions in a nearby parking lot.

"One of the core missions of the Homeland Security Task Force is to dismantle criminal cartels and stop the drugs and violence they pour into our communities," said U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo. "These defendants crossed state lines to secure multiple kilograms of cocaine, storing them in stash houses embedded in our residential neighborhoods before pushing the drugs onto our streets. Their arrests should send an unmistakable message: law enforcement at every level is fully unified and relentless in disrupting these operations and cutting off the flow of illegal narcotics into our community."

"Drug trafficking organizations that believe they can move massive quantities of cocaine across state lines and turn our communities into distribution hubs are making a serious mistake" stated DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam. "The seizure of almost 30 kilograms of cocaine, approximately $159,000 in cash, and four firearms serves as a stark reminder that drug trafficking not only fuels addiction but also drives the violence and criminal activity that threatens the safety of our communities. From New York City and Philadelphia to Rochester and Albany, the DEA and our law enforcement partners are following these criminal networks wherever they operate. Through the Homeland Security Task Force and our unwavering partnerships, we are sending an unmistakable message: Those who profit from flooding our neighborhoods with dangerous drugs will be pursued, their operations dismantled, and their criminal enterprises brought to an end."

"Drug trafficking organizations moving large quantities of cocaine into Western New York pose a serious threat to our communities," said FBI Buffalo Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II. "The seizure of nearly 30 kilograms of cocaine and multiple firearms demonstrates the impact of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) in combating narcotics trafficking in the Rochester area and beyond. As part of HSTF, FBI Buffalo will continue working alongside our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to shut down these criminal networks and protect the American people."

This investigation was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of U.S. law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Buffalo comprises agents and officers from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, ATF, IRS Criminal Investigations, Department of Homeland Security Emergency Removal Operations, Customs and Border Protection, the DEA, the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Diplomatic Security Service, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York.

All three defendants appeared for detention hearings before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen. Defendant Gaskin was detained. Defendants Nelson and Stanley were released on conditions.

The complaints are the result of an investigation by the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division, the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Ryan Parina, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis, II, and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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