A Niagara Falls man on lifetime parole faces at least five years in federal prison after admitting to cocaine trafficking and possessing a firearm.
Derrel Lemorn Moore Jr., also known as Derrel Austin, 47, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, a maximum of life in prison and a $1 million fine.
Prosecutors said Austin was convicted in January 1996 in Erie County Court of multiple felonies, including kidnapping, burglary and robbery. His sentence included lifetime parole.
On Feb. 17, 2022, New York State Parole officers and Niagara Falls Police searched Austin’s residence on 7th Street. Officers seized about 17 grams of cocaine, 44 grams of fentanyl, 40 suboxone packages and a pistol.
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Niagara Falls Police Department and the FBI investigated the case.
Judge Sinatra scheduled sentencing for Aug. 20, 2026, at 1 p.m.
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