Antonio Rivera-Perez, a 23-year-old from Buffalo, pleaded guilty on Apr. 2 to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment and a fine up to $250,000.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address drug-related offenses involving firearms in the Buffalo area.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Garrett Fitzsimmons and Katerina Powers said that controlled purchases of fentanyl were made from Rivera-Perez by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on January 22 and January 28, 2025. Authorities later executed a search warrant at his Langfield Drive residence on April 22, 2025, where they seized approximately 1,072 grams of powder cocaine, 198 grams of crack cocaine, and 190 grams of fentanyl. Law enforcement also recovered a Glock 19 handgun with magazines and ammunition, about $3,500 in cash, and drug paraphernalia.
The investigation was conducted by the DEA under Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam for the New York Field Division.
Sentencing for Rivera-Perez is scheduled for August 11 before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
