U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that Mario Pittman Jr., a 31-year-old resident of Buffalo, New York, has pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara and carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with the possibility of up to 40 years and a fine of $5 million.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola, who is managing the case, detailed that the investigation into Pittman's activities began in March 2024 by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force in conjunction with Lackawanna Police. The inquiry involved five controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Pittman. On April 30, 2024, an attempt to stop Pittman's vehicle led to a high-speed chase through a residential area. Law enforcement forced his vehicle to stop after which Pittman fled on foot but was subsequently apprehended. During his escape attempt, he dropped a clear plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine.
The investigation was conducted by several law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, the Lackawanna Police Department led by Chief Mark Packard, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office directed by Sheriff John Garcia.
Pittman's sentencing is set for October 9, 2025, before Judge Arcara.