Buffalo Man Convicted on Drug Charges

BUFFALO, N.Y.-- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Alejandro Navarro-Gonzalez, 31, of Buffalo, N.Y., was convicted after a jury trial of possession with intent to distribute a kilogram or more of heroin and maintaining a drug involved premises. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $20,000,000 fine.

            Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten, who along with Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Opanga handled the trial, stated that on March 14, 2012, law enforcement officers searched a storage unit on Transit Road in Williamsville, N.Y. The unit, rented by the defendant, contained more than one kilogram of heroin, a loaded .32 caliber semi-automatic pistol and 92 rounds of ammunition. The defendant's DNA was found on the firearm during forensic testing.

            The conviction is the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Brian R. Crowell, Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Frank Christiano, and the Erie County Sheriff's Department, under thd direction of Sheriff Tim Howard.

            Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara, who presided over the trial of this case.