(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. – Cora Waddington, 25, of Falconer, NY, pleaded guilty to sex trafficking and drug distribution charges, marking a disturbing case of exploitation and substance abuse. The charges include conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and benefitting financially from trafficking in persons, carrying a potential sentence of five years to life in prison.
Federal prosecutors revealed that between October and December 2022, Waddington conspired with co-defendants Zaid Mendoza, also known as “Diamond,” and Kelvin O. Thomas to run a sex trafficking operation. The scheme targeted vulnerable victims struggling with drug addiction, luring them into commercial sex work with shelter, food, and daily doses of heroin and fentanyl.
The trio used a residence on West Main Street in Falconer as a base, where victims performed sex acts in exchange for money, which was funneled to Mendoza. Waddington acted as a key player, transporting victims and distributing narcotics to them and other customers. Advertising for the operation was conducted via the website Skipthegames.com.
During the investigation, law enforcement uncovered a trove of evidence, including narcotics, cash, drug paraphernalia, and a semi-automatic pistol. Waddington and Mendoza were arrested following a vehicle stop in October 2022, where both were found in possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Authorities emphasize the collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies in dismantling this operation. The case was pursued under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) initiative and supported by the Western New York Human Trafficking Task Force, employing a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach.
Waddington is scheduled for sentencing on May 13, 2025, before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr.