Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Adalberto J. Bermudez, Jr., also known as “Chopa,” 46, of Town of Tonawanda, was arraigned yesterday morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class “A-I” felony).
It is alleged that 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 apartment. The defendant is accused of intentionally causing the death of the victim by repeatedly hitting him with a machete.
Bermudez is scheduled to return on Monday, December 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail.
If convicted of the charge, Bermudez faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Acting DA Keane commends Detective Scott Malec, Detective Mark White and members of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken, Jr. of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Samantha N. King of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
