Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III announces that three more gun-toting hoodlums were prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

29 year-old Christopher Hoffman of 390 Bristol Street in the City of Buffalo pleaded guilty as charged to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Burglary in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns. These are the highest charges for which Hoffman could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, he did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was instead prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On the evening of November 2, 2014, Hoffman burglarized his neighbor’s apartment at 396 Bristol, stealing money, a ring, a social security card, and junk food. Hoffman was observed fleeing from scene by the victim as she returned home. She immediately notified the police who went to Hoffman’s residence to investigate. While there, the police recovered a loaded Raven Arms MP-25 semi-automatic pistol -- which Hoffman was legally barred from owning because of his prior criminal convictions -- and narcotics.   

Hoffman faces a maximum of 30 years in state prison when he is sentenced on September 16, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. by Judge Burns.

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

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

On November 11, 2014, Haynes was observed by Buffalo Police Strike Force Officers Mark Hamilton and Michael Acquino walking along Broadway in the City of Buffalo with several known gang members.  As the officers approached, the individuals engaged them in conversation, telling the officers that they had just purchased food.  During this conversation, the officers observed the outline of a handgun in Haynes’s front hoodie pocket.  Upon being questioned about the item in his pocket, Haynes informed the officers that it was only a cell phone.  As the officers opened the door of their patrol car to investigate further, Haynes fled through the parking lot of an adjacent shopping plaza. During their pursuit, the officers observed Haynes throw the handgun onto the roof of the shopping plaza.  The Buffalo Fire Department responded with a ladder, and a loaded .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered from the roof. After his arrest, Haynes commended the officers on a job well done, refreshingly stating, “You all did a good job today, for real.  You all got me off the street.”  

Young faces a minimum of 3½ years and a maximum of 15 years in state prison when he is sentenced on October 21, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. 

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Smith of DA Sedita’s Felony Trial Bureau. 

28 year old Michael Moreno of Brandon, Florida pleaded guilty as charged to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Acting State Supreme Court Justice John Michalski.  This is the highest charge for which Moreno could have been convicted had he gone to trial.    In other words, he did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was instead prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law

On July 9, 2015, Buffalo Police Officers Thomas Sercu and Neil Sullivan stopped Moreno for traffic infractions, which resulted in the discovery of an unlicensed and loaded .380 Semi-automatic Pistol in Moreno’s possession. 

Moreno faces a maximum of 15 years in state prison when sentenced on September 21, 2015 by Justice Michalski.  

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