BUFFALO, NY - The U.S. Attorney for Western New York says a Town of Tonawanda man is the first defendant in this area Western New York to plead guilty to selling fentanyl-laced heroin that killed someone. Peter Militello, 34, faces a lengthy jail term when he sentenced in September.
U.S. Attorney William Hochul says this case should serve as a warning because "this time the defendant, a drug dealer is held responsible for a drug sale that resulted in death."
Militello pleaded guilty to selling a mix of heroin and fentanyl that resulted in the death of Robert Runfola. The two were acquainted. According to the plea agreement, Militello admitted he sold four bags of heroin to Runfola in May 2013 at the Buffalo City Court building before Runfola's court appearance. Prosecutors credit the victim's family and police for securing the evidence.
"The cell phones they obtained, the physical evidence which connected the defendant directly to the sale to the individual who passed away as a result of the heroin fentanyl mix," says Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Catherine Baumgarten.
The Erie County Health Commissioner calls the situation a crisis. "We could have as many as 200 opioid related deaths in 2015, last year we only had 138 opioid related deaths," according to Dr. Gale Burstein.
he faces up to 30-years in federal prison when he's sentenced in September.
Since January, the Erie County Medical Examiner has confirmed seven overdose fatalities and there are several ongoing investigations involving heroin-related deaths by the DEA.
Militello faces up to 30-years in a federal prison when he's sentenced in September.
