Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 32 year-old Tito Roosevelt a/k/a Samuel Gamblin was convicted, as charged, of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree and False Personation today before County Court Judge Michael Pietruszka after a week-long jury trial.

Roosevelt’s conviction stems from the December 3, 2011 possession of a loaded .38 caliber stolen handgun at The Corner Store located at 1733 Genesee Street in Buffalo.  Video surveillance showed Roosevelt attempting to hide the weapon in a cardboard box when the police arrived at the store.  When Roosevelt was asked about the weapon, he admitted it was his weapon, and confessed he was moments away from shooting a male store patron he suspected of shooting his brother a week prior. 

District Attorney Sedita credits the hard work and determination of Buffalo Police Officers Mark Hamilton and Michael Acquino. 

Roosevelt faces a maximum prison term of 25 years when he is sentenced before the Hon. Michael Pietruszka on February 25, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. due to his two prior violent felony convictions.  Roosevelt was convicted in June 2005 of Attempted Robbery in the First Degree and in January 2001 of Burglary in the Second Degree.  The case was tried by Assistant District Attorney Sara N. Ogden.