Man from Dominican Republic with prior child sexual abuse convictions pleads guilty to fentanyl charge

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Reinaldo Sanchez Gonzalez a/k/a Delvis Mendoza, 51, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a fine of $5,000,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, on April 28, 2023, Sanchez Gonzalez traveled to the Buffalo, NY, area with co-defendant Robert Hernandez, intending to distribute approximately a kilogram of fentanyl. The vehicle that Sanchez Gonzalez and Hernandez were riding in was pulled over by deputies from the Erie County Sheriff's Office. During the traffic stop, law enforcement recovered a brick of fentanyl from the trunk of the vehicle.

Sanchez Gonzalez is awaiting sentencing on prior felony convictions in New York State Court for Sexual Abuse 1st (sexual contact with an individual less than 11 years old) and Sexual Conduct Against Child 2nd (two or more acts/child less than 11 years old). Federal charges remain pending against Robert Hernandez

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera and the Erie County Sheriff's Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 11, 2026, before Judge Sinatra.

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