Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announces that 30 year-old Curtis Moss, AKA “Two Gunz,” pleaded guilty as charged to Burglary in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, both violent felonies, before Acting Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller. These are the highest charges for which the defendant could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, Moss did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On November 16, 2013, Moss and Adrien Lias (who previously pleaded guilty) broke into a dwelling on Schumway Street in the City of Buffalo. Officers arrived to find a disconnected security system and the property they intended to steal. As to the criminal masterminds, Moss and Lias were hiding in the attic, apparently thinking no one would be smart enough to look for them there. Moss dropped his loaded and unlicensed semi-automatic handgun when confronted by the police.

Moss was held for grand jury action by Buffalo City Court Judge Diane Wray and remanded into custody in lieu of $50,000 bail. Acting Supreme Court Justice Russell Buscaglia, however, released the defendant, who is a second violent felony offender, on his own recognizance. After his case was presented to a grand jury and he was indicted, Moss shockingly failed to appear for his arraignment and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Moss was captured five months later after an extensive search for his whereabouts.

Moss not only has a prior criminal record but also a prior conviction for possessing a loaded and unlicensed handgun, lending one veteran courthouse observer to note how befitting his choice of an alias. Moss faces up to 25 years in state prison plus five years post release when sentenced by Justice Boller on November 26, 2014.

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Soluri, who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Felony Trail Bureau. DA Sedita also complimented the diligent efforts of Lieutenant Jonathan Pietryzak of the Buffalo Police Department, who led the investigation leading to the defendant’s initial arrest, as well as Investigator Kevin Kendall of the New York State Police, who led the manhunt leading to the defendant’s apprehension.