A federal court jury has found a 39-year-old Rochester man guilty of murder, conspiracy to distribute drugs and possessing guns in connection with a narcotics conspiracy.
Damion Colabatistto is described by U.S. Attorney William Hochul as one of the most violent defendants Rochester has ever seen.
Colabatistto was described by trial witnesses as an enforcer for a narcotics ring that trafficked cocaine, crack and heroin in the Rochester area. They were responsible for five murders from the late 90’s through 2010.
Eleven co-conspirators have been convicted in connection with those and other related crimes.
On one occasion, authorities say Colabatistto shot up a Rochester house in an effort to kill a target of the organization. But he had the wrong house, and killed a 20-year-old Rochester mother just a few days before her 21st birthday.