City man pleads guilty to drug conspiracy

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Chad “CL” Lewis, 38, of Rochester, has pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge David G. Larimer  to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 10 years in prison, a maximum of up to life, a $4 million fine, or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas E. Gregory said Lewis was involved with several men in a conspiracy to distribute significant quantities of cocaine in the Rochester area for nearly a decade.

The defendant admitted distributing 15 to 50 kilograms of cocaine. On April 29, law enforcement officials executed several search warrants that resulted in the seizure of cocaine, cocaine base, firearms, jewelry and drug proceeds. Upon Lewis’ arrest at 1206 E. Ridge Road, he was found to be in possession of more than $87,000 in drug proceeds. He agreed to forfeit the money as part of the plea agreement.