Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Alexander Rivera-Santiago, 32, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that on January 31, 2016, Buffalo Police officers on routine patrol attempted to pull over a vehicle the defendant was riding in. After activating their lights and sirens, the vehicle fled from the officers, ran multiple stop signs, drove over sidewalks, and through a parking lot.

 

When the vehicle stopped, the driver and the defendant got out and attempted to flee on foot but Santiago was apprehended. During a search, officers found six .22 caliber rounds in the defendant’s left pocket. They also found a .22 caliber revolver in the area the defendant fled from. Santiago was previously convicted on felony charges in the State of Florida and is prohibited from legally possessing a firearm.    

 

The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Daniel Derenda and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict, New York Field Division.