BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Julius M. Hatten, 35, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of ammunition. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt I. Kass, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on September 25, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at Hatten’s Eckhert Street residence. During the search, they seized 2,251 grams of suspected cocaine, 321 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 100 grams of suspected pressed/engraved fentanyl pills, drug paraphernalia, two metal kilogram presses, 30 rounds of ammunition, two cell phones, and $21,740 cash. Law enforcement also searched Hatten’s vehicle, recovering 37 grams of crack cocaine, 11 grams of suspected fentanyl pills, and 17 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
In August 2011, Hatten was convicted of two felonies in Erie County Court and in August 2018, he was convicted of a felony in Federal Court. As a result, he is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Hatten made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and was held pending a detention hearing.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Alphonso Wright, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff John Garcia, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.
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.