Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Julian Rivera of Buffalo has been sentenced by State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia to 6 years in prison.

On April 7, 2017, members of Buffalo Police Strike Force were on patrol in the Towne Gardens apartments when they witnessed the defendant carrying a bag near Curry Walk. When approached by officers, the defendant ran, but was apprehended nearby on McCarley Walk. Officers found over 200 envelopes of heroin, packaged to sell, inside the bag.

Last month, Rivera pleaded guilty, as charged, to one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. He was sentenced today as a second felony offender.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Detective Michael Acquino, Officer Mark Hamilton, Officer Joseph Acquino, Officer Justin Tedesco, Detective Anthony Fanara and Officer Jonathon Bierl of the Buffalo Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Paul J. Williams III, Chief of the DA’s Narcotics Bureau.