Buffalo Man Going To Prison On Drug And Gun Charges

Buffalo, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Felix M. Velazquez, 44, of Buffalo, NY, who was convicted of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, was sentenced to serve 96 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth T. Molisani, who handled the case, stated that in June 2018, the Lackawanna Police Department Narcotics Unit began investigating the narcotics trafficking activities of the defendant, a mid-level street cocaine distributor who had a large customer base in the Buffalo area. Velazquez conducted his distribution activities through his cellular phone, and at his apartment on Weyand Avenue in Buffalo.

On August 14, 2018, the Buffalo Police Department executed a New York State search warrant at the defendant’s Weyand Avenue residence. Officers recovered approximately 130 grams of cocaine; a digital scale; drug packaging materials; a .380 semi-automatic pistol, loaded with seven rounds; and $42,955.00 cash.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Lackawanna Police Department, under the direction of Chief Mark Packard; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood; and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division.