Retired DEA Agent Convicted of Conspiracy and Drug Distribution

Retired DEA agent convicted of conspiracy, obstruction, and drug distribution in Buffalo. Faces up to 20 years in prison.Photo byLuca BravoonUnsplash

The U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of New York announced Thursday that a federal jury convicted retired Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Joseph Bongiovanni of Tonawanda, New York, on multiple charges.

Bongiovanni, 60, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of obstruction of justice, and one count of making false statements to law enforcement.

“The prosecution of law enforcement officers and public officials are the most difficult cases that are undertaken by prosecutors,” U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross stated. “However, these verdicts show that no one is above the law, not even a federal agent.”

According to the prosecution, Bongiovanni, who served with the DEA from 1998 to 2019, used his position to defraud the agency by protecting individuals involved in drug trafficking, including those associated with Italian Organized Crime in Buffalo.

The department says he provided law enforcement-sensitive information, protected drug traffickers from investigation, and accepted bribes in exchange for his protection.

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia emphasized the seriousness of Bongiovanni’s actions. “Federal agents hold a significant amount of authority and trust to keep the American people safe. Our investigation, reinforced by the jury’s verdict, found that former DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni chose greed over integrity,” Miraglia stated.

Bongiovanni’s actions compromised investigations into large-scale drug operations involving marijuana, cocaine, and fentanyl. In one instance, the department states that Bongiovanni provided protection to Michael Masecchia, a former Buffalo school teacher connected to Italian Organized Crime.

Masecchia was previously convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison. Another associate, Peter Gerace Jr., is awaiting trial, the department says.

“While Bongiovanni’s actions undermined and compromised law enforcement efforts, his actions are not, in any way, a reflection of the thousands of DEA agents or law enforcement officers who serve this nation and community with honor and integrity,” said Erin Keegan, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Buffalo Special Agent-in-Charge.