U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that Michael Burnett, a 40-year-old resident of Hamburg, New York, was sentenced to 96 months in prison. The sentence was delivered by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo following Burnett's conviction for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who managed the case, explained that the investigation into Burnett began in September 2022. The New York State Police and Hamburg Police Department initiated the inquiry into his fentanyl trafficking activities. A search conducted on February 1, 2023, at Burnett’s residence on Holiday Lane resulted in the seizure of four bags of fentanyl, a loaded firearm, drug paraphernalia, $9,797 in cash, and a gold and diamond necklace appraised at $23,900. These items were identified as proceeds from his drug operations.
Burnett had previous felony convictions from Erie County Court dating back to 2010 and 2019, which legally barred him from possessing firearms.
The investigation leading to this sentencing was carried out by the Hamburg Police Department under Chief Peter Dienes' leadership; the New York State Police led by Major Amie Feroleto; and the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Field Division directed by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino.
