Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 48-year-old Jose Bonilla of Lackawanna pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Michael Pietruszka to three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree.

On August 11, 2017, Lackawanna Police officers executed a search warrant at the defendant’s South Park Avenue home. Officers found over ½ ounce of heroin, over 1/8 ounce of cocaine, 3 loaded handguns, over $4000 cash, paraphernalia, packaging materials and a scale.

Defendant admitted to possessing the heroin with intent to sell as well as possession of the cocaine and handguns.

The defendant, a second felony offender, pleaded guilty to the highest charges in the indictment.

Bonilla faces up to 15 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision when he is sentenced on September 4, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Pietruszka.

Paul J. Williams, III, Chief of the DA’s Narcotics Bureau, is prosecuting the case.