LOS ANGELES COUPLE CHARGED WITH DRUG CONSPIRACY

ROCHESTER, N.Y.–U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Tevin Williams, 31, and Zakyia Williams, 25, both of Sherman Oaks, California, were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, fentanyl and cocaine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew McGrath, who handled the case, stated that according to the complaint, in December 2021, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating the drug trafficking activities of Tevin Williams and the associates in his drug trafficking organization. Since December 2021, and March 2023, the organization has distributed large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine in Rochester area and elsewhere. Williams resides in Sherman Oaks, California with his girlfriend and co-defendant Zakyia Williams. The two shipped drug parcels through the United States Postal Service to co-conspirators in the Rochester area. Fentanyl is distributed in the form of pressed pills, which bear markings resembling 30mg Percocet pills, known as fake “Perc 30s.” Subsequent investigation determined that Tevin Williams also traveled to Rochester regularly to resupply his co-conspirators.

Between February and August of 2022, investigators conducted eight controlled purchases of fentanyl from Tevin Williams and his associates. In December 2022, investigators intercepted a package containing approximately 800 grams of cocaine addressed to a residence in Webster, NY, associated with the drug trafficking organization. The cocaine was replaced with sham and a controlled delivery of the package was conducted. Once the package was delivered and subsequently opened, a search warrant was executed at the residence. No narcotics were seized but investigators did recover drug trafficking paraphernalia. In January 2023, another package was intercepted, which contained approximately 718 grams of cocaine and 555 grams of blue pills containing suspected fentanyl. In March 2023, a third package was intercepted, which contained approximately one kilogram of fentanyl pills.

The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and were detained.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, New York Field Division, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Inspector-in-Charge Ketty Larco-Ward. The defendants fled to Trinidad and Tobago after being charged and were located and apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Service, under the direction of Marshal Charles Salina.

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.