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Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office
Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced Adalberto J. Bermudez Jr., also known as “Chopa,” 48, of Town of Tonawanda, was sentenced Wednesday morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes. Bermudez received the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
On the morning of Sunday, Sept. 23, 2023, Buffalo Police officers responded to Isabelle Street where they found the victim, 39-year-old Jose Barreto-Gonzalez, deceased inside of his second-floor apartment. Investigators determined the defendant intentionally caused the death of the victim by repeatedly striking him with a machete.
In late April 2026, a jury found Bermudez guilty of one count of murder in the second degree (class A-I felony). Jurors rendered their decision after approximately six hours of deliberation following a six-day trial, convicting the defendant of the sole count of the indictment.
Keane commends Det. Scott Malec, Det. Mark White, Det. Carl Lundin (Re.) and members of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin T. Wallens of the homicide bureau and Assistant District Attorney Anthony F. Perna of the narcotics/intelligence bureau with the assistance of Deputy District Attorney Eugene T. Partridge III.
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