Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that seven defendants have been arraigned on various charges following the execution of several search warrants by the Buffalo Police Department, Erie County Sheriff’s Office and assisting law enforcement agencies that resulted in the seizure of illegal guns and narcotics.
Two individuals were arrested after Buffalo Police executed a search warrant at a residence located on Pennsylvania Street near Trenton Avenue on the afternoon of Friday, July 14, 2023.
Christian Mojica-Medina, 41, of Buffalo was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Phillip Dabney, Jr. on Saturday, July 15, 2023. He is charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree (Class “A-II” felony), one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class “B” felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree (Class “C” felony), three counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors). The defendant was allegedly found in possession of a quantity of suspected fentanyl and suspected cocaine as well as scales and packaging materials, which were submitted into evidence.
Mojica-Medina is scheduled to return on Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. for a felony hearing. He was released on his own recognizance.
Felipe Fontanez, 48, of Buffalo was also arraigned before Judge Dabney on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor). The defendant was allegedly found in possession of an illegal, loaded pistol and five plastic bags containing a quantity of suspected cocaine.
Fontanez is scheduled to return on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Bail was set at $50,000 cash or bond or release under supervision with conditions, including an ankle monitor.
Another four individuals were arraigned on Saturday following the execution of a search warrant on Friday evening at an apartment located on the 100 block of Titus Avenue in the City of Buffalo. Investigators recovered a loaded, illegal handgun, a quantity of suspected heroin, a quantity of suspected cocaine, scales and packaging materials.
Nazir D. Binhuguley, 21, Brandon M. Herbert, 34, Willie Hillman, 34, and Marlek D. Williams, 30, were arraigned before Judge Dabney on the following offenses:
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class “B” felony)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree (Class “C” felonies)
- Three counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors)
Binhuguley, Williams and Hillman were remanded. Bail was set for Herbert at $50,000 cash or bond or release under supervision. All four defendants are scheduled to return on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. for a felony hearing.
Binhuguley is currently pending prosecution in a separate criminal case involving narcotics. He was indicted on two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class “B” felonies) in connection to an overdose death in the Town of Elma. The defendant, who was released on his own recognizance, is scheduled to return on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. for a hearing after our office filed a motion to have his released revoked following his arrest on felony charges last week.
On Friday, Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics and Intelligence Unit executed search warrants after the subject of the investigation, Anson C. Whitted, 42, left his home on Carl Road in the Town of Grand Island. Whitted was taken into custody during a traffic stop. A 2-year-old child was allegedly inside of the vehicle at the time of his arrest.
While being transported, the defendant allegedly attempted to hide contraband while inside of the Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle. Investigators allegedly found a packaging containing a quantity of suspected cocaine and fentanyl inside of the patrol vehicle while in the Town of Tonawanda.
During a search of the defendant’s home, investigators allegedly found two illegal, semi-automatic rifles and three illegal handguns. One of the rifles had been reported stolen from Ohio. Investigators also alleged recovered a quantity of suspected crack cocaine and a quantity of suspected fentanyl.
On Saturday, July 15, 2023, Whitted was arraigned before Grand Island Town Court Justice Mark J. Frentzel on the following offenses:
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (Class “A-I” felony)
- Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class “B” felony)
- Six counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
- One count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (Class “E” felony)
- Three counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors)
- One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanor)
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors)
Whitted was also arraigned before Tonawanda Town Court Justice Mark J Gruber on the following offenses:
- One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (Class “B” felony)
- 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 Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanor)
Whitted is scheduled to return to Grand Island Town Court on Friday, July 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was held without bail.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Narcotics and SWAT Units, the Erie County Sheriff’s Narcotics and Intelligence Unit, DEA, ATF, FBI Safe Streets Task Force and assisting law enforcement agencies for their work in these investigations.
These cases are being prosecuted by Chief John P. Gerken. Jr., Assistant District Attorney Justin Caldwell and Assistant District Attorney Samantha N. King of the Narcotics/Intelligence Unit.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.