ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Joshua Massey, 32, of Rochester, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession of firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life and a fine of $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on July 30, 2022, Rochester Police Officers responded to an Oneida Street residence in Rochester, for a report of menacing with a firearm. Victim 1 told officers that Massey parked a vehicle, exited the vehicle, drew a black handgun, and pointed it at Victim 1 and second victim as he approached them, and threatened to shoot them. Victim 1 and Victim 2 ran into a residence, while Massey got into the vehicle and drove away. While officers were speaking with Victim 1, Massey drove by, and Victim 1 immediately shouted “that's him." Officers returned to their patrol vehicle to initiate a vehicle stop, activated their lights and sirens, and tried to catch up with Massey’s vehicle. However, before they could stop him, Massey crashed his vehicle at the corner of Perkins Avenue and Norran Drive, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Massey was taken into custody a short time later. A loaded 9mm pistol and approximately 39 bags of suspected cocaine were recovered from the car.
Massey made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was held pending a detention hearing on Aug. 18, 2022.
The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief David Smith and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John Devito.
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.