Tonawanda Man Receives Maximum Sentence for Fatal Machete Attack in Buffalo's Riverside Neighborhood

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Adalberto J. Bermudez, Jr., also known as "Chopa," 48, of Town of Tonawanda, was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes. Bermudez received the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

On the morning of Sunday, September 23, 2023, Buffalo Police officers responded to Isabelle Street where they found the victim, 39-year-old Jose Barreto-Gonzalez, deceased inside of his second-floor apartment. Investigators determined that the defendant intentionally caused the death of the victim by repeatedly striking him with a machete.

In late April 2026, a jury found Bermudez guilty of one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class A-I felony). Jurors rendered their decision after approximately six hours of deliberation following a six-day trial, convicting the defendant of the sole count of the indictment.

DA Keane commends Detective Scott Malec, Detective Mark White, Detective Carl Lundin (Retired) and members of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin T. Wallens of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Anthony F. Perna of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau with the assistance of Deputy District Attorney Eugene T. Partridge, III.