U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Giovanni Ortiz, 31, from Buffalo, NY. Ortiz faces charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, along with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. These charges carry penalties ranging from a mandatory minimum of five years in prison to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola is handling the case. He noted that the indictment follows an investigation initiated in May 2024 by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office into Ortiz's drug trafficking activities. The investigation involved a controlled purchase of fentanyl from Ortiz and revealed his use of multiple residences for these activities.
On August 6, 2024, search warrants were executed at properties linked to Ortiz on West Avenue, Rhode Island, and Jersey Streets. During these searches, authorities seized two loaded firearms, ammunition, magazines, suspected crack cocaine and fentanyl, $2,000 in cash, and drug paraphernalia. Cocaine was also found in Ortiz’s vehicle.
The indictment resulted from collaborative efforts between the Erie County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff John Garcia and Homeland Security Investigations under Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation; Ortiz remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
