Postal worker accused of selling drugs

TONAWANDA, N.Y. (RELEASE) - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that early this morning, a United States Postal Service Carrier was arrested and charged with selling cocaine in the Town of Tonawanda.

The arrests were based upon a federal complaint charging Salvatore Bagarozzi, 44, of the Town of Tonawanda, with unlawful trafficking of cocaine, cocaine base (crack), and marijuana. The charges carry a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary C. Baumgarten, who is handling the case, stated that the charges stem from an investigation into the drug-trafficking activity of Bagarozzi, some of which occurred during his on-duty hours. The investigation culminated in the execution of a search warrant at his residence in the Town of Tonawanda, resulting in the seizure of cocaine, crack, and marijuana.

The criminal charges were the culmination of an investigation on the part of Task Force Agents and Special Agents of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Charles Tomaszewski, and Special Agents from the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, acting under the direction of Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Elizabeth Farcht, in conjunction with the Town of Tonawanda Police Department and the Cheektowaga Police Department.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.