Antonio Rivera-Perez, 23, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty on Apr. 2 to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and could result in up to life imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett Fitzsimmons and Katerina Powers said that the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Rivera-Perez on January 22 and January 28, 2025. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Rivera-Perez’s residence on Langfield Drive on April 22, 2025, seizing approximately 1,072 grams of powder cocaine, 198 grams of crack cocaine, 190 grams of fentanyl, a Glock 19 handgun with magazines and ammunition, about $3,500 in cash, and drug paraphernalia.
The investigation was carried out by the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam from the New York Field Division.
Sentencing for Rivera-Perez is scheduled for August 11 before Judge Vilardo.
