Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 23 year-old Erik Arias and his 40 year old mother, Erika Brown of 114 15^th Street in the City of Buffalo were arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case.

On February 26, 2016, Buffalo police arrested the defendants after executing a search warrant on their home and recovering 970 baggies of heroin.  While the police executed the search warrant, both defendants instructed a 14 year old to contact their drug supplier and inform the supplier of their arrest.

Arias and Brown are currently in custody at the Erie County Holding Center, and bail has been set at $250,000 for each defendant.

Arias is under indictment for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd Degree (with intent to sell).  He faces a potential prison term of up to 12 years.  

Erika Brown is under indictment for 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd Degree (with intent to sell) and 2 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3^rd Degree.  She faces a maximum prison term of 27 years.

Acting DA Flaherty credits Buffalo Police Officers Shawn Adams, Sean O’ Brien and John Garcia for their investigative work.

The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.