BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today that Donte Lee, 44, of Buffalo, N.Y., who was convicted by a federal jury of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana, was sentenced to 54 months in
prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler and Paul C. Parisi, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that on Nov. 3, 2015, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force turned onto Sherman Street off Genesee Street to execute an arrest
warrant when they observed a large group of people scattering in all directions. Following a chase first on foot and then in a vehicle, Lee eventually attempted to drive through a vacant lot between Sherman Street and Fox Street where his vehicle crashed into a fence. The defendant got out of his vehicle and attempted to escape again on foot before he was ultimately arrested. Subsequently, officers recovered a 9mm pistol loaded with approximately 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Since 1992, the defendant has been convicted of three separate felonies in state and local courts and is prohibited from legally possessing a gun.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict.
