Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announces the convictions of the following defendants for illegal possession of a loaded and unlicensed handgun. 

20 year-old David Gadley of Sattler Street, Buffalo, pleaded guilty, as charged, to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before State Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia.  This is the highest charge for which Gadley could have been convicted had he gone to trial.  In other words, Gadley did not receive a “plea bargain” and was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

On December 1, 2014, Gadley was approached by Buffalo Police Strike Force Officers Mark Hamilton and Michael Acquino and told them he had two bags of marihuana on him. When Officer Acquino asked Gadley to give him the marihuana, Gadley handed the officer a cheeseburger from one pocket, but the visible bulge in Gadley’s hoodie pocket was more of a concern to the officers. Shockingly, the source of the bulge was a loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol. Gadley faces a minimum of 3½ years and a maximum of 15 years in state prison when he is sentenced on July 9, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. before Justice Buscaglia. 

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Sydney V. Probst of DA Sedita’s Felony Trial Bureau. 

19 year-old Mark E. Hill, Jr. of S. Crossman Street, Buffalo, pleaded guilty as charged to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Supreme Court Justice Penny M. Wolfgang. This is the highest charge Hill could have been convicted of had he gone to trial. In other words, the defendant was not offered a so-called “plea bargain” and was instead prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On January 14, 2015, Cheektowaga Police Officers Shawn McAdams and Justin Haag were driving on Eggert Road when they observed a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee speeding and failing to use a turn signal. Once stopped, the officers immediately observed a bag of marijuana in Hill’s vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a loaded T54, 9mm Luger, Semi-automatic Pistol which was further linked to Hill through DNA testing. Hill faces a minimum of 3½ years and a maximum of 15 years in state prison when he is sentenced before Justice Wolfgang on July 29, 2015 at 9:30 am.

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jeremy V. Murray, who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Felony Trial Bureau.

40 year-old Raheem Bethea of 40 Warren Street, Buffalo, pleaded guilty, as charged, to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Third Degree before Erie County Court Judge Sheila DiTullio.  These are the highest charges for which Bethea could have been convicted had he gone to trial.   In other words, Bethea did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 

On September 11, 2014, acting on a tip that Bethea was selling marijuana from his home at 40 Kent Street in the City of Buffalo, narcotics detectives executed a search warrant and recovered over 18 ounces of marijuana individually packaged for sale, nearly $3,000 in cash, and a loaded HiPoint Assault Rifle. Bethea was arrested and arraigned in Buffalo City Court, where he was released on bail. Shockingly, Bethea set up shop once more, selling marijuana, this time, out of 40 Warren St. in the City of Buffalo. Bethea faces a minimum of 3½ years and a maximum of 15 years in state prison when sentenced by Judge DiTullio on July 13, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Ashley Morgan and Sydney Probst, who are assigned to DA Sedita’s Felony Trial Bureau.