Former UB basketball player Rodney Pierce was one of four people arrested Tuesday in a Buffalo drug-trafficking bust.
Pierce, 32, was arrested and charged with conspiring to distribute 500 grams “or more” of cocaine. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and maximum of 40 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. also announced the indictment of David Washington, 39, Eleazar Martinez Medina, 50, and David Burgin, 47, who is Pierce’s uncle.
During the investigation, investigators seized six firearms, ammunition, marijuana, over 7.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine and crack cocaine, over two kilograms of fentanyl, over $750,000 in cash, six “traps,” scales and drug packaging materials.
In a press conference Tuesday, Kennedy said the seized fentanyl was enough “to wipe out the population of Erie County.”
Pierce attended Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo, where he became the 17th highest scoring player in Western New York history. He committed to Rider University, before transferring to UB.
Pierce was a member of the UB basketball team from 2006 to 2010. He was named first-team All-MAC in 2009 and 2010. He led the team in scoring and started every game those two seasons.
Burgin and Pierce made initial appearances in court and were released on conditions.
Justin Weiss is the senior sports editor and can be reached at justin.weiss@ubspectrum.com
Justin Weiss is The Spectrum's managing editor. In his free time, he can be found hiking, playing baseball or throwing things at his TV when his sports teams aren't winning. His words have appeared in Elite Sports New York and the Long Island Herald. He can be found on Twitter @Jwmlb1.
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
