BELLPORT MAN CONVICTED OF POSSESSING NARCOTICS, A LOADED FIREARM, AND FOR SELLING DRUGS TO AN UNDERCOVER OFFICER

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Johnnie Funderburke, 38, of Bellport, was convicted after a jury found him guilty of numerous drug and weapons charges, and for selling narcotics to an undercover officer.

“This defendant attempted to push deadly drugs into our Suffolk County communities,” said District Attorney Tierney. “The possibility of the defendant receiving a life sentence should send a clear message that if you sell drugs in Suffolk County, you will be held accountable, and the penalties will be severe. I commend the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section for their hard work on this case.”

The evidence at trial established that on June 15, 2021, Funderburke sold heroin to an undercover detective from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section. On June 22, 2021, and June 24, 2021, the defendant also sold heroin and cocaine to the same undercover detective.

On July 6, 2021, members of the Suffolk County Police Department executed a search warrant of Funderburke’s residence, and recovered fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, two digital scales, cash, and a loaded 9 mm pistol.

On June 12, 2023, Funderburke was found guilty after a jury trial heard before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Anthony S. Senft, Jr. to the charges of:

• One Count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a Class A felony;
• Five counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;
• Six counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a Class D felony;
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a Class D felony; and
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor.

Funderburke has multiple prior felony convictions including Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree from 2007, and Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree in 2011.

He is due back in court on July 12, 2023 for sentencing, and faces life in prison. Funderburke is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Dana Gremaux and Lauren Golombek of the Narcotics Bureau, with investigative assistance by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Narcotics Section.

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Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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