Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas S. Duszkiewicz and Joel L. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that in June 2012, Jose L. Ramirez-Merced, co-defendant Alexander Duarte and others sold heroin on the West Side of Buffalo. On July 15, 2012, the group planned a home invasion robbery targeting the residence of Jose Rivera. However, the defendants and others invaded the wrong residence and stole cocaine and cash.
As a result, Jose Rivera began making threats against individuals in the group and attempted to kill one of the individuals known as L.B. In response, the group decided to murder Rivera. On July 31, 2012, Merced, co-defendant Alexander Duarte retrieved a gun and proceeded to a residence on West Avenue in Buffalo where they opened fire, killing Rivera and wounding a female.
Alexander Duarte has also been convicted and will be sentenced on Jan. 12.
from US Dept. of Justice via IFTTT
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