Man admits to running cocaine ring near school

A Buffalo man has admitted to operating a cocaine conspiracy near a Buffalo Public School.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says 31-year-old Aaron Hill pleaded guilty to having 500 grams or more of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, a $5,000,000 fine, or both.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Hill worked with the owner of Barberians Barber Shop, Stevie Alejandro, along with several others to distribute cocaine throughout the Lovejoy neighborhood over a six-month period between May 2017 and October 2017.

The Barberians Barber Shop is located directly across the street from Buffalo Public School #43,  Lovejoy Discovery School, which serves elementary and middle school children.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Alejandro conducted negotiations with an undercover law enforcement officer regarding the sale, cost, amount, and delivery of cocaine. Then, Hill, or one of his co-conspirators, would conduct the drug transaction with the undercover officer. All proceeds went back to Alejandro, the owner of the barber shop.

The U.S. Attorney's Office says Hill was involved in a total of 14 cocaine sales.

Hill will be sentenced in August.