Hamburg First has learned that a drug ring has been busted up in Hamburg. One of the dealers is Mathew Hoak ,31 years old, charged with Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (a Class E felony), punishable by up to four years in prison. The defendants are also charged with Criminal Possession and Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a Class B felony), which is punishable by up to nine years in prison.
It’s not immediately clear if Mathew Hoak is the nephew of former Supervisor Patrick Hoak. Mathew is reported as living on Harvard street but is listed on the Erie County Voter Database as living at 55 North St. in Hamburg. He is listed as the son of Edward and Marleen Hoak who are both 59 years old. Also arrested and a major player was Jason Chudzik, 24 years old, of LakeView. His name rings a bell but I can’t place it right now. Matt is also a Demon-cratic committee member in Hamburg.
Others arrested locally are:
William Herdman of Angola
Eric Williamson of Blasdell
Travis Yates of Lake View
Michael Bannister of Blasdell
Eric Cole of Hamburg
Chris Winder of Evans
http://www.oag.state.ny.us/media_center/2009/apr/apr30b_09.htmlThe
State Attorney General’s press release is as follows:
Today’s indictments are the result of a 19-month, multi-agency investigation dubbed “The City’s Finest,” which was led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and the New York
State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (C-NET), with assistance from the City of Buffalo Police Department, the Town of Hamburg Police Department, and the New York State Division of Parole.
“The drug dealers who invade our communities spread addiction and destroy lives,” said Attorney General Cuomo. “This investigation and these indictments speak to the continued infiltration of potentially deadly narcotics into western New York. By targeting ringleaders in the narcotics trade and by working cooperatively, law enforcement at all levels can continue its successes at shutting down these illicit operations.”
New York State Police Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt said, “This collaborative investigative effort, led by the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force, has resulted in a significant seizure and
the indictments of 23 individuals in this criminal operation. This sends a strong message to all those involved in trafficking narcotics that New York State will not tolerate these threats in our
communities.”
City of Buffalo Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson said, “Once again we are pleased to announce that law enforcement agencies have combined their resources in ridding the streets of Buffalo and our
surrounding community of illegal narcotics activity. The suspects who have been picked up in this latest effort – dubbed “The City’s Finest” – are charged with some very serious felony crimes. The investigation – first begun by the Attorney General’s investigative team – and joined by other state and local agencies, has been successful in putting a large dent in the local drug supply line. This again illustrates not only that criminal activity knows no borders, but that members of law enforcement are prepared to combat this scourge of drug dealing.”
According to the first indictment, Nelson Medina, 31, of Los Angeles, California, was the leader of the operation. He is accused of arranging to have multiple packages containing up to18 ounces of cocaine a week shipped via UPS and Federal Express from Southern California to various addresses in the City of Buffalo, where they were received by Jacob Burkhardt, 30, of Eggert Road, Cheektowaga, who would then cut, package, and sell cocaine to others in the organization.
The additional defendants charged in the first indictment and their
alleged roles are:
Richard Cloud, 26, of Hertel Avenue in the City of Buffalo, took multiple ounces of cocaine from Burkhardt and resold it to others.
Kenneth Mitchell, Jr., 26, of Tonawanda, New York, bought multiple ounces of cocaine from Cloud and resold it to others.
Robert Carpenter, 29, and Antonio Imperi, age 25, both of Buffalo, New York, were multi-ounce cocaine customers of Mitchell and resold the cocaine to others.
Andre Parsons, 25, of Buffalo, New York; Christopher Bermel 24, Joseph Flitt, 22, and David Castle, 18, were cocaine customers of Cloud and resold the cocaine to others.
The Grand Jury charged Nelson Medina, Jacob Burkhardt, Richard Cloud, Kenneth Mitchell, Jr., Robert Carpenter, Antonio Imperi, Andre Parsons, Christopher Bermel, Jermaine Locke, Joseph Flitt, and David Castle with Conspiracy in the Second Degree (a class B felony), punishable by up to 8⅓ to 25 years in prison.
Nelson Medina, Jacob Burkhardt, Richard Cloud, Kenneth Mitchell, Jr., Robert Carpenter, and Antonio Imperi are also charged with Criminal Possession and/or Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (class A-I felonies), punishable by up to 24 years in prison.
Those charged in the second indictment and their alleged roles are:
Kenneth Mitchell, Jr., 26, of Tonawanda, regularly sold quarter ounces of cocaine to Jason Chudzik, 24, of Woodford Drive, Lakeview, New York.
William Herdman, 43, of Pinehart Road, Angola, New York, and Eric Williamson, 27, of Blasdell, New York, regularly sold cocaine to Jason Chudzik.
Kip Lewis, 46, of Burning Springs Road, Versailles, New York; Creighton Miller, 38; and Walter Edinger, 56, of Howell Street, both of Buffalo, New York, also sold cocaine to Chudzik.
The second indictment also alleges that Jason Chudzik resold cocaine to others, including:
Travis Yates, 21, of Versailles Road, Lakeview, New York; Matthew Hoak, 31, of Harvard Street, Hamburg, New York; and Michael Bannister, 29, of Nelson Avenue, Blasdell, New York. The indictment alleges Yates, Hoak and Bannister then resold that cocaine to others.
Kenneth Mitchell, Jr., Jason Chudzik, William Herdman, Creighton Miller, Eric Williamson, Kip Lewis, Michael Bannister, Matthew Hoak, Travis Yates, and Walter Edinger are all charged with Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (a Class E felony), punishable by up to four years in prison. These defendants are also charged with Criminal Possession and Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a Class B felony), which is punishable by up to nine years in prison.
Eric Cole, 24, of 5029 Morgan Parkway, Hamburg, New York, and Chris Winder, 26, of 6972 Putnam Drive, Evans, New York, are charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail.
Those charged in the third indictment and their alleged roles are:
Julie Daniels, 27, regularly sold marijuana to Kenneth Mitchell, Jr., 26, of Tonawanda, and Garrett Kelly, 23, both of whom resold it to others.
Mitchell, Daniels, and Kelly are charged with numerous counts of Criminal Sale of Marihuana in the Second Degree (class D felony), punishable by up to 2 ½ years in prison. These defendants are also
charged with Criminal Possession of Marihuana in the Third Degree (class E felony), punishable by up to 1 ½ years in prison.
The Attorney General thanked the New York State Police, the City of Buffalo Police Department, the Town of Hamburg Police Department, and the New York State Division of Parole.
This case is being prosecuted by OCTF Assistant Deputy Attorney General Robert J. Lee, under the supervision of Executive Deputy Attorney General for Criminal Justice Robin L. Baker and OCTF First Assistant Deputy Attorney General Peri Alyse Kadanoff. The investigation was handled by Supervising Investigator Peter J. Talty, under the supervision of OCTF Chief Investigator Thomas Mullen.
This case began in June, 2007 when Trooper Matthew Stegner from Troop “T” conducted a traf
fic stop on the New York State Thruway, which resulted in the arrest of a subject for possession of Narcotics. Trooper Stegner was able to develop information from this arrest which he turned
over to CNET Western, resulting in a long term investigation into the distribution cocaine in the Buffalo area culminating with today’s arrests.
The charges against the defendants are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
You can read more at http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/656961.html
did you jkbnikw Matt is a democratic committeman
Does he work for the town like the other Hoaks? Is he a Democratic committeperson?
Matthew Hoak is not a direct descendant of Patrick Hoak. They are actually distant cousins. Pat’s not to blame in this kid’s upbringing.
Mathew Hoak sits as a Demoncratic Committee Member of Hamburg District #6. His sister sits as a Demoncratic Committee Member in District #30 and His brother sits as one in District #41. Pat and Randy Hoak occupy Committee seats in Hamburg district #43.
Great choice of character for these Demoncrats don’t you think?
OK here is the deal. I will not allow anyone to actually say he is guilty until it actually happens that a jury convicts him of it. He has been accused and as an accused person he has the right of “presumption of innocence”, especially here on my site.
Believe me I know what it’s like to be accused of something you didn’t do. So as far as Matthew and the rest are concerned they get the benefit of the doubt that it is all a big mistake for now.
For the rest of it, I hope Sorrentino isn’t to close to the kid or this can become a rallying cry for the RP.
People who propose problems and not solutions offer little help to a situation. If you have such an issue with who is on the Committee you are free to get involved.
Bienvenidos a los Estados Unidos.
I am involved and sit on the IP Committee in Hamburg District 53.
LET ME EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO YOU “PERFECT” PEOPLE:
YOUR NOT GONNA SIT HERE AND TELL ME YOU DONT KNOW ANYONE WHO HAS OR IS USING AN ILLEGAL DRUG… OR FOR THAT MATTER, SOMEONE WHO IS AN ALCOHOLIC…GET A LIFE, STOP GOSSIPING ON OTHER PEOPLE’S MISTAKES..TAKE A WALK IN ANY OF THE “ACCUSED” SHOES, AND SEE IF YOU’D OF DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENT. PEOPLE GET CAUGHT UP IN THIS DRUG ‘GAME’ AND IT CAN MAKE THEM DO SOME TERRIBLE THINGS..INJURING THEMSELVES, AND THEIR LOVED ONES, WITHOUT EVEN REALIZING IT. BUT ALL OF YOU OUTSTANDING CITIZENS WOULD NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. STOP THRIVING ON WHAT OTHERS DID WRONG. MAYBE YOU COULD COME ON HERE AND TRY TO MAKE A POSITIVE COMMENT OF THE WRONG DOINGS OF THESE PEOPLE, IN TURN, SOMEONE COULD SAVE THEMSELVES BEFORE THEY GET TOO CAUGHT UP.. YOU PEOPLE ARE LIKE THE NEIGHBORS THAT WE ALL HATE TO HAVE…BUSY-BODIES. TELEPHONE – TELEGRAPH – TELL YOU BLOGGERS…GET A GRIP
****ALL OF THE ACCUSED ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY****
DONT FORGET THAT.
Matt is that you?
haha what a laugh! everyone knows that matt has been dealing drugs and taking bets for years, including pat and randy. im sure he was innocent when he got arrested a few years back for breaking his girlfriends arm too.
This is the truth. Everyone knows Matt Hoak deals, and taking bets. I went to college with Matt, some things never change.
What exactly is the purpose of this site ? Why is it headline news that someone with the same last name of a former supervisor got arrested in a drug sting ? You stated your self that you don’t even know if this kid is related to Pat Hoak. You stated he lives on North St., the News says Harvard. “Ed” wonders if he works for the town like the other Hoak’s. What Hoak’s currently work for the town ? Are there any ?
Ford, besides being the source of amusement for local politicians and firemen and Tom Best, you serve no valid purpose on this earth. I hope later in life that none of your third cousins’ (alledgedly) kids ever get arrested. If you had any courage, you would use your real name in these posts.
This news is very discouraging. I have known the Hoak family for many years. They have never been anything but kind to me and my family. The actions of 1 person are not a reflection on the entire family.
I have an uncle who went to jail for selling drugs. I still love my uncle. He broke my grandmothers heart. He broke my fathers heart. He paid a steep price for his actions.
That being said, my thoughts and prayers are with the Hoaks during this time. We should all remember that this problem is not confined to the individuals whose names were written in the paper. There are many thousands of users, sellers, and families that are being destroyed everyday by drugs in Hamburg alone. As a community we should embrace this as an oppertunity to support those who adversly effected by these circumstances. My guess is Matt Hoak needs some serious help. I beleive at this moment he is full of regret and sorrow. I only pray that he can turn all that negative energy into something positive.
The same holds true for all of us. Maybe you know someone who is in a bad place in their life. Maybe you can offer them some encouragement, so they don’t end up down the same road as Matt. It is hard to find positive in this situation, but I beleive that Matt Hoak can come out of this a better man, whether he is guilty or innocent.
Edith, if you search my site, you will find that I have posted every article written about drug busts in Hamburg for years. I hate the dealers in this town, they ruin our families. A better question is why is his name in a headline article of the Buffalo News, Hamburg Sun, and the press release from the State Attorney General? Answer: Because it’s big news!
Matts name isn’t in headlines because it’s a Hoak, it’s there because he has been in the headlines before. I’m sure Pat and Randy are very upset over this. Now their family member and a Demon-cratic committee member MAY go to jail.
As far as his address goes, I got it from the voter database. He could have moved since then.
I wonder if this Bannister guy is related to NYS Supreme Court Justice Tracey Bannister?
By the way Edith, why aren’t you registered to vote? Or maybe this isn’t your real name, but then you have the nerve to call me out?
I hope your right Jeff, I hope Matt gets the help he needs.
One last observation for the Hamburg Police to investigate here. The Erie County Board of Elections has Mathew Hoak listed as living at 55 North street. If he is actually living on Harvard as the news release said, then the Hamburg cops should investigate where this guy voted at last. If he voted at a district different from where he actually lives, then he is also guilty of voter fraud. That wouldn’t be very good for a committee member.
Harvard St. is listed in Hamburg District #24 and North is listed in Hamburg District #21.
The logic is inescapable – as Republicans we want Randall Hoak in charge of the Democrats – so Matt can get a Town Hall job. Is he the only Hoak not employed by the Town of Hamburg.
Yes LOGIC! That’s an excellent strategy. Knowing Randy and how “tight” he is with Matt, I’m sure he’d hand him a job on a silver platter. Thats completely his style. I’m sure he’d create some position for him in the DARE office for kicks, I think that is the only department that isn’t staffed by all Hoak’s. From what I’ve heard all Town employed Hoaks always claim they obtained there employment because they held the qualifications for the job.
Ppeople in glass houses should not throw stones.
In the Walters campaign we listed the 10 Hoaks on the Hamburg Town Payroll. In fact after the campaign after the campaign piece was made up we found 3 more of Hoak’s relatives we missed.
Im sure Matt does need help. But is it necessary to list the name and address of his parents?
Ford are your parents still alive? Weren’t you accused of something a few years back?
Lets bring them into it.
Mr. Beckwith, what obsession do you have with the Hoak family? Your website is a joke! You’re a snake in the grass and this crass website is your muse! You sir are menace that has nothing better to do than to kick a man when he is down! This isn’t about politics anymore, but a man’s life that hangs in the balance. Ford, I’m positive that you have made mistakes in your life that you have regretted and Matthew Hoak has made a mistake that he cannot take back. You can continue to sit in your tower spewing your rhetoric and shenanigans.
If you are going to say kind of stuff you should at least put your name to it. I do every day! Sorry you hate this site but hey, he was on the front page of the Buffalo News, and Hamburg Sun. i bet they didn’t get a nasty comment. You must be a Demon-crat!
Again Ford, this isn’t about politics. This is about a human being. How about we post your address in Blasdell? Yes, Matt did something wrong, but you can’t put a political spin on this. You are a dope!
This site is great entertainment….you people are hilarious!
It is but a small website, and yet there are those who love it.
Thank you Mr. Beckwith
It is what it is. My address isn’t a secret and neither is his. In fact the Buffalo News and the Hamburg Sun printed it as well. The only dope here is Matt who apparently loves to smoke it and snort it!
Bumped into a prominent Democratic Committee person. He is supporting Gaughan and doesn’t care what Jim Sorrentino & Randy Hoak want Michalek.
The drug war is another dumb progressive idea that we should ditch.
It costs $250 per household and I doubt a single American would willingly waste that money on a policy that is a total and complete failure.
Let’s stop that silly saying–it’s a free country–and start making it one.
I am in absolute disbelief that anyone would admonish this site or come to the defense of the drug dealers sited in this article. To those posters who have done so, I must ask: Where are your values and respect for life?
Are you aware that drug dealers such as the ones sited are instrumental in the cause of death due to overdoses of illegal drugs?
Are you aware that innocent people are killed by drug abusers who steal the victims’ money so that they can purchase their illegal drugs from drug pushers such as the ones cited?
Are you aware that homes are ransacked by drug abusers that steal valuable goods, sell them so that they can purchase illegal drugs from drug pushers such as the ones cited?
This article is not about the destruction of the Hoak Family. One relative is not going to destroy the fine reputation they have built over the years. Look beyond this. Law enforcement is making great strides to get the crimes I mention off the street. I commend law enforcement for their efforts. And, thank you Hamburg First for printing the article.
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Do some research.
http://politicalclassdismissed.com/?p=6552
Yes, I do know what I am talking about. Happen to know quite a few people that met their fate through an overdose of illegal drugs. Where do you think drug abusers get their fix? We need to get the dealers off the street.
Do you advocate drug abuse?
JEANIE C,
LOL…YOU DONT KNOW ANYONE WHO DIED OF AN OVERDOSE….COCAINE DOESNT KILL POEPLE…LOL…IT MAKES THEM GROW..JEANIE YOUR A LOSER..GET A GRIP
To the Poster: Jeanie Your A Fool…….
Can you read? Who said anything about cocaine? I said illegal drugs. Have fun in jail.
“We need to get the dealers off the street.”
Do some research. Before the dumb drug war, there were no drug dealers on the streets.
Why do so many people think that your sacred opinion, unsupported by actual research or careful logic, should be taken seriously by anyone.
Really Jim, just how much careful research is needed to determine the harmful if not fatal effects that illegal drugs have on human life?
Illegal drugs are dangerous. That’s one good reason to LEGALize them.
When you make a legal drug illegal, it becomes more dangerous to a lack of quality control and the need to smuggle which encourages the use of highly concentrated drugs.
But please continue to avoid doing research before you opine.
Jim:
At the time I wrote may comment and as it stands today, drugs were and are ILLEGAL. This is why I believe we have to move forward in getting drug dealers off the streets.
One doesn’t need to do lengthy research or read a book to conclude that illegal drugs are dangerous. Why do you think that legalizing drugs would help the cause? The dealers will still be pushing “bad” dope. It’s their means of making a living.
the police are always tryin to ruin everbodys fun what happend to freedom if matt hoak wants to slang dope its nobodys business but his