Buffalo man pleads guilty to fentanyl charge

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Hector Anaya, 51, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is handling the case, stated that in April 2024, Buffalo Police detectives received information that Anaya was in possession of a large quantity of narcotics. Detectives surveilled Anaya’s residence and observed him making three hand-to-hand transactions of suspected heroin and cocaine during controlled purchases. On April 25, 2024, a search warrant was executed at his residence during which investigators seized a firearm, ammunition, and a quantity of suspected fentanyl. Anaya was arrested at the scene.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.   

Sentencing is scheduled for January 3, 2025, before Judge Sinatra.     

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