Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III announced that19 year-old Ramon Lopez of 444 Woodward Avenue, Buffalo, pleaded guilty, as charged, to Robbery in the First Degree (a class “B” violent felony) and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a class “C” violent felony) before State Supreme Court Justice Penny Wolfgang.  These were the highest charges for which defendant could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, Lopez was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Lopez’s convictions stem from two separate incidents. On November 22, 2013, Lopez robbed a cab driver of his wallet and cellphone while he displayed what appeared to be a semi-automatic handgun. On February 11, 2014, while free from custody on the robbery charge, Lopez was seen trespassing at an apartment complex and, when encountered by police officers, found in possession of an unlicensed and loaded 9mm pistol.

Lopez faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 14, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. before Hon. Penny Wolfgang. 

The case was successfully prosecuted by ADA Sara N. Ogden, who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.