Probationary Buffalo Police Officer Sentenced for Growing and Selling Marijuana

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that James Hamilton, Sr., 29, of Buffalo, N.Y., who was convicted of distribution of marijuana, was sentenced to 18 months in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.

“A uniform is only as good as the person who wears it,” said U.S. Attorney Hochul.  “While the vast majority of police officers are role models for us all, this Office will not hesitate to act where, as here, a member of law enforcement violates his oath and breaks the law.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Lynch, who handled the case, stated that on November 20, 2013, Hamilton, a probationary Buffalo Police Officer, sold a half pound of marijuana to a confidential source working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Erie County Sheriff’s Department. At the time of the sale, the defendant possessed his Buffalo Police issued .40 caliber Glock handgun.

Following the sale, the defendant was arrested and a search warrant was executed at his residence at 165 Floss Avenue in Buffalo. During the search, officers seized approximately 80 marijuana plants, three to four pounds of processed marijuana and a shotgun.   

As a result, the defendant no longer works for the Buffalo Police Department. 

The sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda, the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Jamie J. Hunt, Acting Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division.