Michael Mitchell, 32, of Buffalo, New York, was arrested and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Duncan said that the charges stem from an incident on August 25, 2025. Buffalo Police responded to a call about a man with a gun at a residence on Austin Street. Officers found the person who made the call down the street and then made contact with Mitchell at the residence. After detaining him during their investigation, police searched the home and found a black hoodie containing an unloaded firearm in its pocket as well as a container holding two 9mm rounds of ammunition. Officers also discovered what they suspect to be crack cocaine.
Mitchell has a previous federal conviction for bank robbery by force or violence in April 2013 and was sentenced to 108 months in prison. Because of this prior conviction, he is not allowed to possess firearms.
The case resulted from an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, led by Commissioner Alphonso Wright, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives under Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller of the New York Field Division.
“The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.”
