Man faces 81 charges in Ontario County drug and firearm investigation
The Ontario County District Attorney's Office has filed an 81-count indictment related to a long-term, multi-agency firearms and narcotics investigation.
Ronnie Boswell Jr., also known as "Spaz," faces multiple charges, including criminal sale of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degrees, conspiracy, and several drug-related offenses, such as criminal sale and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree.
According to Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts, the charges involve crimes that allegedly occurred between Oct. 1, 2024, and Jan. 2, 2025.
As part of the investigation, 14 firearms, 13 large-capacity magazines, and approximately 2,600 fentanyl pills were seized.
The 81 charges originated from a narcotics investigation in Geneva, which began in August 2024 after tips from community members about suspected drug use, loitering, and other quality-of-life issues in the city's downtown. Geneva Police Chief Ronald Eveland said these tips led authorities to Boswell, expanding the investigation into a multi-agency effort.
Through the investigation, 14 firearms were purchased and seized, including five assault weapons, along with 13 large-capacity feeding devices and about 2,600 fentanyl pills. The operation involved several agencies, including the Ontario County District Attorney's Office, ATF, Geneva Police Department, New York State Police, Ontario County Sheriff's Department, and the Seneca County Sheriff's Department, Ritts confirmed at a press conference on Thursday.
Ritts also stated that Boswell was arrested on Jan. 2, 2025, following a buy-bust operation. On the day of the bust, Boswell allegedly sold 200 fentanyl pills, a semi-automatic rifle, large-capacity ammunition magazines, and ammunition. The buy money was recovered when Boswell was taken into custody.
Ontario County Sheriff David Cirencione noted that Boswell was allegedly operating out of Rochester but was attempting to sell these firearms to individuals he believed were based in Ontario County. Cirencione added that authorities are continuing to investigate the origins of the weapons and whether they were involved in any prior crimes.
'The fact is, he was able to obtain these weapons easily and was proactively reaching out to the officers working this case, looking to sell guns almost daily,' Cirencione said.
The indictment reveals that Boswell had a prior conviction for attempted criminal possession of a weapon in December 2016 in Monroe County. Ritts said that given his prior felony convictions, Boswell could face a sentence of 25 years to life.
Boswell is currently being held at the Ontario County Jail awaiting arraignment.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Ronnie Boswell faces 81 charges in Ontario County drug investigation
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