BUFFALO, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A former Buffalo Public Schools teacher was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and firearms charges, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
Michael Masecchia, 57, of Williamsville, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph M. Tripi and Brendan T. Cullinane said Masecchia was involved in the sale of marijuana in Buffalo and surrounding suburbs from 1999 until his arrest in August 2019.
Masecchia and others participated in marijuana growing operations in Ellicottville and Franklinville, in Cattaraugus County. The marijuana grown at those operations was harvested and distributed to resellers and users.
Additionally, Masecchia possessed firearms to protect himself, his proceeds, and property where he stored marijuana and currency.
Masecchia was arrested Aug. 23, 2019 after investigators conducted a search warrant at his Main Street home and recovered two rifles, five shotguns, a pistol, ammunition, marijuana and suspected cocaine. Steroids, hypodermic needles, THC edibles, cannabis syrup, drug paraphernalia, four cell phones and $27,950 in U.S. currency were also discovered, federal authorities said.
Masecchia pleaded guilty to the charges against him and as part of a plea agreement he admitted he received sensitive law enforcement information from his co-defendant, Joseph Bongiovanni, who worked as a special agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Buffalo.
The information included the names of potential cooperators and whether or not Masecchia and others were under federal investigation. This information helped Masecchia and others to continue selling marijuana undetected by other members of law enforcement, according to the Justice Department.
Charges remain pending against Bongiovanni, the department said.
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