Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 23 year-old Jose Mendoza of 222 Bird Avenue, Buffalo,  pleaded guilty, as charged, to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia.

Mendoza’s conviction stems from the August 26, 2012 incident where he was found in possession of a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver on Perkins Place in the City of Buffalo.  On August 26, 2012, Buffalo Police received information that Mendoza was carrying a weapon and was in the vicinity of Herkimer Street and Perkins Place.  When the police arrived at that location, the defendant fled and threw a bag to the ground.  Buffalo Police Officer William Rezabek recovered the bag which contained the revolver.  An arrest warrant was issued and Mendoza was arrested on September 11, 2012.  DNA analysis confirmed that Mendoza’s DNA was on the weapon.

The case was successfully prosecuted by ADA John P. Gerken, Jr.  Mendoza faces a maximum prison term of 15 years when he is sentenced before the Honorable Russell P. Buscaglia on May 31, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.