Buffalo man pleads guilty to lying in connection with overdose death

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that a Buffalo man pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice following an incident where an individual overdosed and died.

In June 2019, an individual contacted 49-year-old Roman Lapp to ask for narcotics. Lapp obtained heroin/fentanyl/acetyl fentanyl from his supplier, Steven Gonzalez, and delivered the drugs to the individual’s residence. The individual later overdosed and died.

In an investigation, Lapp told the Buffalo Police Department that he received the drugs from someone other than Gonzalez. He later admitted that he was lying to protect him, among other reasons.

Gonzalez was sentenced to serve 15 years and eight months in prison.

Lapp’s sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.