Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 40-year-old Joseph Slomba of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin J. Keane on one count of Fraud and Deceit Related to Controlled Substances (Class “A” misdemeanor).

It is alleged that on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at approximately 2:35 p.m., the defendant obtained a prescription for a controlled substance from a pharmacy on Broadway in the City of Buffalo by concealing a material fact. The defendant, who is employed as a cell block attendant for the Buffalo Police Department, allegedly concealed that he had already obtained a re-fill of the prescription within the last 30 days.

Slomba is scheduled to return on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He was released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.

If convicted of the charge, Slomba faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.  

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Intelligence Unit, FBI Buffalo Office and the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel of the Public Integrity Unit.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.