DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Western District of New York

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 24, 2017
James P. Kennedy, Jr.
, United States Attorney
Contact: Barbara Burns

Jury Convicts Buffalo Man of Gun and Drug Charges

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today that a federal jury has convicted Donte Lee, 44, of Buffalo, N.Y., of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
 
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael J. Adler and Paul C. Parisi, who handled the prosecution of the case, stated that on November 3, 2015, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force turned onto Sherman Street off Genesee Street to execute an arrest warrant when they observed a large group of people scattering in all directions. Officers observed Lee holding what appeared to be a black firearm in his hand while running in the area of Sherman and Johnson Streets. While on foot, the defendant tripped and fell. He got up, ran back to his vehicle, and headed down Sherman Street. Officers attempted to pull the defendant over, but he did not comply and a chase ensued. Lee attempted to drive through a vacant lot between Sherman Street and Fox Street where his vehicle crashed into a fence. Defendant got out of his vehicle and attempt to escape on foot. He was apprehended in the same area. Subsequently, officers recovered a 9mm pistol loaded with approximately 18 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
 
Since 1992, the defendant has been convicted of three separate felonies in state and local courts and is prohibited from legally possessing a gun.
 
The verdict is the result 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 Benedict.
 
Sentencing for October 20, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara who presided over the trial of the case.
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New York Field Division