Press Release
☷Former Buffalo Public School Teacher Going to Prison for Selling Marijuana and Possessing Firearms in Furtherance of His Drug Trafficking Activities
Federal Bureau of Investigation ( By Press Release office)
May 05,2022
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Former Buffalo Public School Teacher Going To Prison For Selling Marijuana And Possessing Firearms In Furtherance Of His Drug Trafficking Activities CONTACT: Barbara BurnsPHONE: ( 716 ) 843 - 5817FAX #: ( 716 ) 551 - 3051BUFFALO , N . Y . - U . S . Attorney Trini E . Ross announced today that Michael Masecchia , 57 , of Williamsville , NY , who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana , and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes , was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison by U . S . District Judge John L . Sinatra , Jr . Assistant U . S . Attorneys Joseph M . Tripi and Brendan T . Cullinane , who handled the case , stated that since at least 1999 through his arrest on August 23 , 2019 , Masecchia was involved in the sale of marijuana in the Buffalo and its surrounding suburbs . Masecchia and others also participated in marijuana grow operations in Ellicottville and Franklinville , in Cattaraugus County , NY . The marijuana grown at those operations was harvested and distributed to resellers and users . In addition , the defendant possessed firearms to protect himself , his proceeds , and property where he stored marijuana and currency . As part of his plea agreement , Masecchia admitted that he received sensitive law enforcement information from his co - defendant Joseph Bongiovanni , who worked as a Special Agent of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in Buffalo . The information included the names of potential cooperators and whether or not Masecchia and others were under federal investigation , and such information helped Masecchia and others to continue selling marijuana undetected by other members of law enforcement . On August 23 , 2019 , a search warrant was executed at the Masecchia’s Main Street residence and seized $27 , 950 . 00 in U . S . currency; Two rifles , five shotguns , and a pistol; ammunition; marijuana and suspected cocaine; steroids; hypodermic needles; THC edibles; cannabis syrup; drug paraphernalia; and four cell phones . Charges remain pending against co - defendant Joseph Bongiovanni . The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations , under the direction of Acting Special Agent - in - Charge Matthew Scarpino; the Federal Bureau of Investigation , under the direction of Special Agent - in - Charge Stephen Belongia; the Erie County Sheriff ' s Office , under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia; the Niagara County Sheriff ' s Office , under the direction of Sheriff Michael Filicetti; and the Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms , and Explosives , under the direction of John B . Devito . # # # #
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