Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Julian Rivera of Buffalo pleaded guilty, as charged, before State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia to one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.

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.

Rivera, a prior felony offender, faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, September 26 at 11 a.m.

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.