Antonio Gutierrez, 29, of Buffalo, New York, was sentenced to 132 months in prison after being convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo and delivered by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine stated that the case stemmed from the death of an individual referred to as C.R., who was found deceased from a drug overdose on December 9, 2022, at his home in Orchard Park, New York. Investigators discovered suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia at the scene along with C.R.’s cell phone.
Authorities linked Gutierrez to the crime through DNA evidence found on a glassine envelope recovered from the residence and through frequent communications between C.R.’s phone and a number associated with Gutierrez in the hours leading up to the overdose. Both individuals’ phones were also determined to be in the same area in Buffalo during that period.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan and the Orchard Park Police Department led by Chief Patrick Fitzgerald.
“U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Antonio Gutierrez, 29, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, was sentenced to serve 132 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.”
“Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine, who handled the case, stated that on December 9, 2022, an individual identified as C.R. was found dead of a drug overdose in his Orchard Park, NY, residence. Investigators recovered several items from the bedroom where C.R. was found, including his cell phone, as well as suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. Gutierrez’s DNA was found on a glassine envelope recovered from the residence. In addition, C.R. had frequent communications with a phone number linked to Gutierrez, including in the hours before his death. During this time, their phones were in the same area in the City of Buffalo.”
“The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan and the Orchard Park Police Department, under the direction of Chief Patrick Fitzgerald.”
