Buffalo man sentenced to over 13 years for role in narcotics conspiracy leading to triple homicide
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man was sentenced to serve 13 years and 10 months in prison for his role in a narcotics conspiracy that resulted in a triple homicide in 2019, the United States Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
James Reed, 42, was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct justice, use of fire to commit a felony and accessory after the fact.
Officials said starting in 2014, Reed and others started receiving and selling marijuana, heroin and cocaine while using 973 Fillmore Ave. to store, package and sell them.
Two men now accused of murder in 2019 burned bodies case
On Sept. 15, 2019, Reed allegedly went with co-defendant Jariel Cobb to buy cocaine from Miguel Anthony Valentin-Colon and Dhamyl Roman-Audiffred, who were Cobb’s alleged sources of supply.
Valentin-Colon, his wife, Nicole Marie Merced-Plaud, their minor son and Roman-Audiffred, arrived at a residence on Roebling Avenue in their minivan, as directed by Cobb, officials said. Roman-Audiffred then exited the minivan and went into the residence’s kitchen, which is when co-defendant Deandre Wilson allegedly hit Roman-Audiffred in the head with an object, causing her to fall to the floor.
Officials said Wilson then went outside and allegedly shot and killed Valentin-Colon and Merced Plaud in front of their son, who was in a child’s car seat. Wilson then drove the minivan and parked it on Scajaquada Street.
Reed and Cobb then moved Dhamyl Roman-Audiffred’s body from the kitchen a short time later into the basement, where they dismembered her body, authorities said. Cobb then allegedly put her body parts into multiple trash bags and put them in the trunk of his vehicle.
Cobb and Reed proceeded to drive to a residence on Box Avenue, took the trash bags out, and put them into a burning fire in a fire pit area in the backyard, officials said.
Law enforcement discusses guilty verdict in 2019 burned bodies case
Cobb and Wilson retrieved the minivan from Scajaquada Street the next day, with the bodies of Valentin-Colon and Merced-Plaud allegedly still inside.
After driving the minivan into the yard of a residence on Tonawanda Street, Cobb and Wilson allegedly doused the vehicle and bodies with gasoline, lighting it on fire. Officials said they then took the minor child and left him on a stranger’s porch on Potomac Avenue.
Cobb and Wilson were previously convicted, with Cobb sentenced to serve 20 years in prison and Wilson sentenced to serve three life sentences.
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Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.
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