Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Hempstead man was sentenced today to 22 years in prison for his role in a violent drug ring operating in Hempstead.
Darren Devane, a/k/a Buck, 37, was convicted after a jury trial before Judge Terence Murphy of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (an A-I felony); three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (an A-II felony); eight counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony); Conspiracy in the Second Degree (a B felony) and two counts of Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree (an E felony). The defendant was acquitted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony) and one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (a B felony).
The trial started on September 11, 2023, and the jury delivered their verdict on October 2, 2023.
Devane was sentenced today to 22 years in prison and five years’ post release supervision.
“Darren Devane and his narcotics trafficking ring funneled more than 400 grams of fentanyl into Hempstead – enough for 150,000 potentially fatal doses,” said DA Donnelly. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to take down these criminal operations and stop this poison from reaching our streets.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the indictment and investigation, beginning in April 2019, members of the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) Long Island Firearms Task Force, FBI, and NCDA began an investigation into a drug ring that operated in and around 100 Terrace Avenue in Hempstead.
Devane was one of the ringleaders of an eight-person drug ring and business partner to Ricky Jackson, an inmate at FMC Devens Federal Prison in Massachusetts.
On September 15, 2019, Devane arranged to pick up 100 grams of Fentanyl from Jackson’s girlfriend, Angelique White, and sell it on his behalf.
NCDA investigators and members of the FBI intercepted and seized the drugs and searched White’s apartment the next day, finding an additional 300 grams of Fentanyl.
In total, the 400 grams of seized fentanyl represents 150,000 potentially fatal overdoses.
The defendant also instructed his pregnant girlfriend, Shariah Usher, to conduct a drug deal involving 100 grams of cocaine on his behalf as he stood nearby and personally sold cocaine in amounts of 20 grams twice and 50 grams on separate occasions.
Devane, a Bloods gang member, also directed the sale of cocaine to numerous individuals in the Hempstead area.
It is believed that the drug ring packaged and sold approximately $10,000 worth of cocaine a week.
Jackson pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree and was sentenced to 15 years in prison on January 13, 2020.
Usher pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and was sentenced to five years’ probation on July 27, 2020.
White pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and was sentenced to five years’ probation on February 10, 2020.
The case was prosecuted by Firearms Suppression & Intelligence Unit Chief Lee Genser of the Narcotics, Firearms & Gangs Bureau. Devane is represented by Mitchell Barnett, Esq.
