Michael DiGiacomo, U.S. Attorney for Buffalo, announced on May 15 that Michael Hatten, age 55, of Buffalo, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
The case matters because it involves the disruption of an alleged drug trafficking organization in Buffalo. Law enforcement said they have been investigating this group since November 2025. According to the complaint, Hatten was identified as being involved in these activities.
Investigators conducted a traffic stop of Hatten’s vehicle on March 30 and recovered about 11 grams of fentanyl. On the same day, search warrants were executed at residences on Zelmer Street in Buffalo and Adam Street in Lockport where more than $25,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia were seized. A further search at an East Ferry Street residence led to the seizure of approximately 42 pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine, 11 pounds of suspected fentanyl and about 1,900 grams of suspected cocaine along with additional drug paraphernalia.
At the time he was arrested, Hatten was already on federal supervised release following a previous conviction from 2019 for conspiracy to distribute narcotics. He made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and remains detained.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Donna Duncan is prosecuting the case which is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff John Garcia.
The Justice Department serves as the principal federal agency for law enforcement with over 115,000 employees operating across the United States and internationally; it focuses on upholding rule of law and safeguarding civil rights according to its official website.
Authorities remind that “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.”