BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Fernando Agurto, 40, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty, before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity. The charges carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of life in prison, and a $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Astorga, who is handling the case, stated that on July 29, 2016, the Buffalo Police Department executed a search warrant at 68 Vanderbilt Street in Buffalo. While executing the warrant, officers recovered a.380 caliber pistol and brass knuckles. Officers also recovered three plastic bags containing crack cocaine inside a Pringles can, two additional bags of cocaine from a Jif peanut butter jar, a quantity of marijuana, a digital scale containing cocaine residue as well as numerous Ziploc baggies. Hidden in the ceiling above the basement stairs officers also discovered and seized $5,700 in cash.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
