BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A federal judge has recommended a significantly reduced prison sentence for former DEA agent Joseph Bongiovanni, who was convicted last year of seven federal crimes.

The proposed sentence now ranges from nine to 11 years—far below the pre-sentence report's recommendation of 19 to 24 years.

In October 2024, a jury found Bongiovanni guilty of misleading law enforcement and protecting a drug trafficking organization led by Ronald Serio.

Prosecutors said Serio operated a cannabis grow operation in the basement of his Amherst mansion and trafficked marijuana, cocaine, and fentanyl. Serio, a key government witness, was sentenced to approximately two years in prison.

U.S. probation's pre-sentence report, which assists judges in determining prison terms, recommended Bon

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