(WNY News Now) – ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Rochester man identified by federal prosecutors as the leader of a large-scale marijuana trafficking operation has been sentenced to more than two decades in federal prison following his conviction on drug and firearms offenses.
Brandon Washington, also known as “B Mack,” 40, was sentenced to 262 months (more than 21 years) in prison by U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci Jr., according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. Washington was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 100 kilograms or more of marijuana, as well as possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Federal prosecutors said that between at least May 2021 and July 21, 2022, Washington operated an armed drug trafficking organization in the City of Rochester. The operation sold large quantities of marijuana from multiple drug houses, including locations on St. Paul Street and Sixth Street. Investigators also identified several stash locations, including a property on Laser Street.
According to court records, Washington employed multiple individuals to supply, package, and sell marijuana around the clock, generating thousands of dollars per shift. Other individuals were allegedly hired to provide armed protection for the operation.
During the investigation, law enforcement agencies executed numerous search warrants that resulted in the seizure of significant amounts of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, $21,644 in cash, and nine firearms. At Washington’s residence on Laser Street, officers also recovered marijuana, packaging materials, and more than 100 rounds of ammunition. Prosecutors noted that Washington was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to his prior criminal history.
Authorities further reported that gun traces linked several of the seized firearms to multiple shootings and homicides in Rochester during the summer of 2022. One of those investigations involved the fatal shooting of Rochester Police Department Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, who was killed while conducting surveillance with Investigator Sino Seng. Seng was injured in the shooting. Kelvin Vickers was later convicted of Officer Mazurkiewicz’s murder and sentenced to life in prison.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo said the sentencing holds Washington accountable for his role in drug trafficking and related violence. Law enforcement leaders from the Rochester Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) also credited interagency cooperation for the successful prosecution.
The case was investigated by the Rochester Police Department, ATF, and DEA, with prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
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