Buffalo Man, His Wife and Father Arraigned on Felony Charges Following Investigation into Illegal Guns

Modified: May 3, 2022 10:19am

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5/3/2022

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that three individuals have been arraigned on numerous felony offenses for possession of illegal guns following an investigation led by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit. All three defendants appeared in court on Saturday morning before Buffalo City Court Kevin J. Keane.

Couron L. Virgil-Mack, 32, of Buffalo was arraigned on the following offenses:

  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the First Degree (Class “D” felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the Second Degree (Class “E” felony)

The defendant’s wife, Brianna T. Virgil-Mack, also known as Brianna T. Shabazz, 32, of Buffalo was arraigned on the following offenses:

  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the First Degree (Class “D” felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the Second Degree (Class “E” felony)

Couron Virgil-Mack’s father, Desmond D. McCloud, 52, of Buffalo was arraigned on the following offenses:

  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree (Class “D” felony)
  • One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony)

It is alleged that on April 29, 2022, at approximately 7:30 a.m., the Erie County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence on Grider Street in the City of Buffalo. Investigators allegedly found several guns, a bag containing approximately 5 pounds of marijuana and digital scales during the search of the home.

A second search warrant was executed at a business on Clinton Street in the City of Buffalo. Investigators allegedly found approximately 10 pounds of marijuana inside of the building.

It is further alleged that on April 29, 2022, at approximately 8:35 a.m., a third search warrant was executed at a residence on Oakmont Avenue in the City of Buffalo. Investigators allegedly found multiple illegal firearms, a bag containing a quantity of cocaine and a digital scale. One of the guns allegedly recovered from the home was reported stolen from the City of Buffalo in October 2017.

Virgil-Mack, Virgil-Mack and McCloud are scheduled to return on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. All three defendants were held without bail.  

If convicted of the highest count, each face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit, Buffalo Police Department Intelligence Unit and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force their work in the investigation.  

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney James W. Mansour, II of the Narcotics and Intelligence Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.