Federal grand jury indicts convicted felon on multiple drug and weapons charges

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Martino Carter, 38, of Sloan, NY, with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of firearms and ammunition by person subject to domestic violence protective order. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of life and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, on June 5, 2025, the Buffalo Police Department, ATF and FBI executed a search warrant at Carter's Jackson Avenue residence in Sloan. During the search, investigators recovered two firearms, a magazine, and approximately 25 pounds of suspected marijuana. Carter was taken into custody at the scene.

In May 2009, Carter was convicted of two felonies in Erie County Court and is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm. In addition, at the time of his arrest, he had an active order of protection against him, which also legally prohibited him from possessing a firearm.

Carter was arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was detained.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Acting Police Commissioner Craig Macy, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan DiGirolamo.

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.

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