BELLPORT MAN SENTENCED TO 35 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR 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 sentenced to a total of 35 years to life in prison after a jury found him guilty last month of numerous drug and weapons charges, and for selling narcotics to an undercover officer.

“This previously convicted violent felon decided to deal drugs and possess a loaded gun. As a result of that choice, he will now go to prison which will make our streets safer,” said District Attorney Tierney. “We will not allow violent felons to push drugs into our streets and neighborhoods in Suffolk County without severe repercussions.”

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., for the charges 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, Class B felonies;
• Six counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class B felonies;
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony;
• 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, Class D felonies; and
• 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.

On July 13, 2023, Justice Senft found Funderburke to be a mandatory persistent violent offender following a hearing and then sentenced him to 35 years to life in prison. He was represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

The case was 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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