A Buffalo high school teacher who pleaded guilty Wednesday to gun and drug charges repeatedly distributed marijuana trafficked into Buffalo and its suburbs for 20 years, according to prosecutors.
As part of his plea agreement, Michael Masecchia, 54, of Williamsville, also admitted he received sensitive law enforcement information from his co-defendant, Joseph Bongiovanni, who worked as a special agent for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in Buffalo. The former DEA agent provided the names of potential cooperators and whether Masecchia and others were under federal investigation, according to the plea agreement. That enabled Masecchia and others to continue in their marijuana distribution activities undetected by other members of law enforcement.
A grand jury indictment last summer against Bongiovanni accused him of blocking investigations into Masecchia and others he believed were tied to the local Mafia and, in return, receiving at least $250,000 in bribes.
The plea agreement included a "conservative estimate" of 2,204 to 6,613 pounds of marijuana involved in Maecchia's "relevant conduct," based on anticipated witness testimony and evidentiary seizures.
Masecchia pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra Jr. to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph M. Tripi and Brendan T. Cullinane said Masecchia and others also participated in marijuana growing operations in the Cattaraugus County towns of Ellicottville and Franklinville. The marijuana grown there was distributed to resellers and users.
In addition, Masecchia possessed firearms to protect himself, his proceeds and property where he stored marijuana and money, they said.
During a search of Masecchia's Main Street home Aug. 23, 2019, investigators from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, Erie County Sheriff's Office and the Niagara County Sheriff's Office seized $27,950 in U.S. currency, two rifles, five shotguns, a pistol, ammunition for the firearms, three Mason jars containing marijuana, various steroids in liquid and tablet form, hypodermic needles, THC edibles, cannabis syrup, two grams of a white powder suspected to be cocaine, Tylenol with codeine tablets, suspected hashish, a digital scale, a suspected marijuana cigarette, numerous plastic bags and small bottles containing marijuana and four cellphones.
The sentencing date has been set for April 8.
Masecchia was placed on leave after his arrest in 2019.
