Grand Island, NY – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports the arrest of 42-year-old Anson Whitted on drug and weapons charges following an extensive investigation.
Whitted has been a target of the Erie County Sheriff’s Narcotics and Intelligence Unit since 2021 after the agency received anonymous complaints about his drug dealing activities throughout Erie County. Last month the unit reopened its investigation when the subject was identified as trafficking narcotics from his Carl Road residence in Grand Island.
On July 13, Supreme Court Justice Betty Calvo-Torres signed a search warrant for Whitted’s person, residence, and vehicle.
On July 14, ECSO Narcotics and Intelligence Unit personnel observed Whitted depart his residence in a vehicle operated by a female and with a 2-year-old passenger. A traffic stop was initiated on Interstate I-190 near the Niagara Street exit, and he was taken into custody.
While being transported to the Grand Island Substation, deputies observed the subject attempting to hide contraband in the rear of a marked patrol vehicle. Deputies exited the highway and stopped on Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda. There, deputies recovered a package containing approximately 1/8 ounce of cocaine and fentanyl.
At approximately 12:15 p.m., while the traffic stop occurred, Narcotics personnel executed the search warrant for 98 Carl Road (right side). Within the dwelling, detectives and deputies recovered two semi-automatic rifles, an AK-47 and an AR-15; the AK-47 was stolen out of Garfield Heights, Ohio. Also recovered was a .40 caliber Glock handgun modified with a “switch,” which effectively transforms the weapon into a fully automatic machine gun, a 9mm and .45 caliber handgun; all the weapons recovered at the residence were loaded. Also seized was a large cache of high-capacity magazines and ammunition. Additionally, approximately a ½ kilo of crack cocaine, approximately 50 grams of fentanyl, and approximately $5,000.00 in U.S. currency were seized.
Whitted was arrested and charged with the following:
• One felony count of criminal possession of a controlled substance – 8 ounces or more;
• Two felony counts of criminal possession of a narcotic with intent to sell;
• One felony count of criminal possession of a narcotic;
• One felony count of criminal possession of a controlled substance;
• One felony count of concealing physical evidence;
• One felony count of criminal possession of a weapon – 5 or more firearms;
• Four counts of criminal possession of a loaded firearm;
• One felony count of criminal possession of a machine gun;
• One felony count of criminal possession of stolen property – firearms;
• One misdemeanor count of criminal possession of a controlled substance;
• Three misdemeanor counts of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia;
• Two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
The Erie County Crime Analysis Center assisted with intelligence gathering during the investigation, and the Erie County District Attorney’s Office assisted with legal guidance.
Whitted is held at the Erie County Holding Center.
The child and the female were released after the Sheriff’s Office contacted Child Protective Services.
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