Francis Tessina, Heroin and Fentanyl Trafficking, New York 2017

Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty to Heroin and Fentanyl Charges

A 45-year-old Buffalo man has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Francis Tessina was arrested on March 10, 2015, after allegedly selling heroin and fentanyl to an individual cooperating with law enforcement. During the investigation, authorities discovered a cellular telephone that belonged to the individual who had received the drugs, and text messages exchanged between him and an individual identified as John Haak revealed that the man received what was purported to be heroin from Haak shortly before his body was discovered.

According to a previously filed complaint, law enforcement officers investigated the apparent opioid overdose of a man in Hamburg, NY, on February 28, 2015. Further investigation revealed that Haak delivered fentanyl, purchased from Tessina, to the man late in the afternoon of February 28, 2015. Haak also sent text messages to him warning him to be careful with the heroin because Haak believed it contained fentanyl.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, the Hamburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gregory Wickett, and the Evans Police Department, under the direction of Chief Douglas Czora.

Tessina’s sentencing is scheduled for July 12, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank T. Pimentel, who stated that the defendant sold heroin and fentanyl to an individual cooperating with law enforcement on March 9, 2015, and was arrested the following day while preparing to sell the same drugs.

Contact: Barbara Burns, (716) 843-5817, fax (716) 551-3051.

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