West Seneca Man Arrested After Investigators Seize Suspect Heroin Or Fentanyl From His Residence

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Michael Prewitt, 51, of West Seneca, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with the intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Antoine, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on December 16, 2020, law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at the defendant’s Slade Avenue residence in West Seneca. During that search, officers seized approximately 1332 grams of suspected heroin or fentanyl, two mechanical presses, commonly used to shape narcotics into bricks, packaging materials, two digital scales, and approximately $18,000 in cash.

In 2003, Prewitt was convicted in federal court of being a felon-in-possession of a firearm and sentenced to serve 37 months in prison.

The defendant made an initial appearance before U.S. District Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and was detained.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia; the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy Howard; and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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