Geneva City Councilor-at-Large Ahmad J. Whitfield rejected a plea offer Monday in his felony drug case, leaving the possibility that the charges will now be presented to an Ontario County grand jury.
Assistant District Attorney Bianca D’Angelo confirmed to the Finger Lakes Times that Whitfield declined the offer. D’Angelo, who appeared in place of prosecutor Robin Catalano, said no new court date was scheduled before Judge Gregory McCaffrey and that the case could now proceed to a grand jury.
Whitfield was expected to enter a guilty plea to unspecified charges, but he did not appear in court with his attorney, Rochester criminal defense lawyer Joseph Lobosco, despite being present at the courthouse.
Lobosco did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Whitfield was arrested by State Police on January 7 following a narcotics investigation conducted by the State Police Violent Gangs and Narcotics Enforcement Team, with assistance from the Geneva Police Department and the Ontario and Seneca County sheriff’s offices.
He is charged with one count of second-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, a Class A-II felony, and two counts of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance, Class B felonies. Investigators allege Whitfield sold cocaine and fentanyl.
Whitfield was reelected to a four-year term on the Geneva City Council in November. However, according to Mayor Jim Cecere, he has not attended a council meeting or participated in communications with fellow council members since his arrest.
Following Whitfield’s arrest, Cecere publicly urged him to resign. Last week, the mayor again called on Whitfield to either resign or begin fulfilling his duties as an elected official. Whitfield continues to receive his city salary while remaining a member of the council.
The Ontario County District Attorney’s Office and Whitfield’s attorney had been engaged in plea negotiations since the case was waived to a grand jury, although a grand jury has not yet heard the case.
