Buffalo man admits to role in murder, drug and gun charges

Correction: It was incorrectly reported that Alphonso Payne was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing. This story has been edited to say that charges remain pending against Payne.

This story previously stated that Alphonso Payne was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing, but charges remain pending against him.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A Buffalo man pleaded guilty to his role in the murder of a man in 2019 as well as gun and drugs charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

Gregory Hay, 35, conspired with co-defendant Alphonso Payne and others to sell cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana and heroin between early 2016 and August 2019, according to officials.

Officials said Hay began selling drugs in Salamanca before moving to the Olean area, where Payne assisted him. Hay’s vehicle was stopped by police multiple times in 2017, and had various drugs seized from it.

A search warrant was executed at Hay’s residence in May 2019, and investigators seized two firearms, several magazines, ammunition, a digital scale, cash and several cell phones. He was later arrested in July 2019.

After he was taken into custody, Hay believed that an individual, Joshua Jalovick, provided information to law enforcement that led to the search of his residence and subsequent arrest, officials said. As a result, in July 2019, Hay and Payne lured Jalovick to a residence on Freund Street in Buffalo, where the defendants shot the victim several times, leading to his death.

Jalovick died from more than 15 gunshot wounds, according to officials. Hay disposed of the murder weapons and his phone following the shooting.

In all, Hay was charged with narcotics conspiracy, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and discharge of firearm causing death in furtherance of crimes of violence and a drug trafficking crime. He faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of life.

Charges remain pending against Payne.

Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the WIVB News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here .