Buffalo man pleads guilty to drug charge

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Antonio Rivera-Perez, 23, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Garrett Fitzsimmons and Katerina Powers, who are handling the case, stated that on January 22 and January 28, 2025, the DEA conducted controlled purchases of fentanyl from Rivera-Perez. On April 22, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Rivera-Perez's Langfield Drive residence, seizing approximately 1,072 grams of powder cocaine, 198 grams of crack cocaine, 190 grams of fentanyl, a Glock 19 handgun, several firearm magazines, ammunition, approximately $3,500 in U.S. currency, and drug paraphernalia.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam, New York Field Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for August 11, 2026, before Judge Vilardo.

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