Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 38-year-old Antonio M. Broadus of Buffalo was arraigned on Saturday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Diane Wray following his arrest for allegedly being in possession of narcotics with intent to sell.
It is alleged that on Friday, March 1, 2024, at approximately 11:36 a.m., investigators followed the defendant in a marked patrol vehicle as he was driving in the area of Jefferson Avenue. The defendant allegedly drove recklessly at a high-rate of speed before being stopped in the area of Walnut Street and Sycamore Street in the City of Buffalo after witnessing the defendant driving erratically and at high-rate of speed. The defendant is accused of tampering with physical evidence by throwing a quantity of suspected crack cocaine out of his vehicle, which was recovered nearby and submitted into evidence. The defendant was taken into custody.
Broadus was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree (Class “C” felony), one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence (Class “E” felony), one count of Reckless Driving (unclassified misdemeanor under Vehicle & Traffic Law) and multiple Vehicle & Traffic Law violations.
It is further alleged that on Friday, March 1, 2024, at approximately 1:17 p.m., a search warrant was executed at a residence on the 500 block of High Street in the City of Buffalo. Investigators allegedly found a quantity of suspected cocaine, scales, packaging materials, two modified illegal handguns and a modified illegal assault rifle inside of the residence.
Broadus was also arraigned before Judge Wray on the following offenses:
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (Class “A-I” felony)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class “B” felony)
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felonies)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
- Three counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors)
Broadus is scheduled to return on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. for a felony hearing. He was held without bail on both files.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Ryan D. Haggerty of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.