U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that Mario Pittman Jr., a 31-year-old resident of Buffalo, New York, has pleaded guilty to the distribution of methamphetamine. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with a maximum potential sentence of 40 years and a fine up to $5 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is prosecuting the case, explained that an investigation into Pittman's activities began in March 2024. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force collaborated with the Lackawanna Police Department to conduct this investigation, which involved five controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Pittman.
On April 30, 2024, authorities attempted to stop Pittman's vehicle. He fled at high speed through a residential area but was eventually stopped by law enforcement officers. After fleeing on foot, Pittman was apprehended and found to have dropped a clear plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine during his escape attempt.
The successful plea is attributed to the efforts of several agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Lackawanna Police Department under Chief Mark Packard's direction, and the Erie County Sheriff's Office headed by Sheriff John Garcia.
Sentencing for Pittman is set for October 9, 2025, before Judge Arcara.
