Buffalo Man Sentenced On Heroin Charge

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Mark Gonzalez, 22, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin, was sentenced to time served (24 months) by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan A. Tokash, who handled the case, stated that between July 2014, and September 28, 2015, the defendant became active in a heroin distribution organization headed by Daniel Molina-Rios. Gonzalez handled a phone provided to him by the organization to sell heroin. On five occasions, the defendant sold 28 bags of heroin to undercover officers. On each occasion, the undercover officer and Gonzalez would make contact by telephone to arrange a controlled purchase of heroin. The defendant utilized the phone provided to him by the drug trafficking organization.  Gonzalez was intercepted by law enforcement utilizing a phone to sell heroin to other individuals as well, during this time period.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division; the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), under the direction of Major David Krause and Lieutenant Kevin Reyes, CNET West Commander; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda.