U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Michael Burnett, a 40-year-old resident of Hamburg, New York, has been sentenced to 96 months in prison. Burnett was convicted for possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson stated that the investigation into Burnett's fentanyl trafficking operation began in September 2022 by the New York State Police and Hamburg Police Department. On February 1, 2023, authorities searched Burnett’s apartment on Holiday Lane, where they seized four bags of fentanyl, a loaded firearm, drug paraphernalia, $9,797 in cash, and a gold and diamond necklace appraised at $23,900 as proceeds from his drug trafficking activities.
Burnett had previous felony convictions in Erie County Court in 2010 and 2019, which legally prohibit him from possessing a firearm.
The sentencing resulted from an investigation conducted by the Hamburg Police Department under Chief Peter Dienes' direction; the New York State Police under Major Amie Feroleto's direction; and the Drug Enforcement Administration led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino of the New York Field Division.