(WNY News Now) – A 36-year-old Niagara Falls man has been sentenced to 198 months in federal prison after being convicted of distributing fentanyl that caused a fatal overdose in Tonawanda in April 2023, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

Michael Paonessa, 36, of Niagara Falls, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to 16 years and six months in prison for possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl.

Federal prosecutors said the case involved the death of Paonessa’s girlfriend, identified in court-related information as R.A., who suffered a fatal overdose on April 29, 2023, after consuming fentanyl Paonessa had provided.

According to the investigation, the couple went to a restaurant in downtown Buffalo on the evening of April 28 and later returned to R.A.’s apartment on Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda.

Prosecutors said R.A. had asked Paonessa for drugs and that he had provided them to her on previous occasions. Two earlier incidents in March and April 2023 reportedly resulted in nonfatal overdoses.

Authorities said Paonessa was at the apartment before and after R.A.’s death. He left around noon without notifying authorities. Investigators also determined that he sent a text message to R.A.’s phone after leaving, claiming he had just woken up and asking her to call him.

R.A.’s family members, concerned after being unable to reach her, went to the apartment and discovered her body.

The investigation also uncovered multiple instances in which authorities recovered controlled substances and other items connected to suspected drug distribution.

On March 25, 2023, law enforcement recovered approximately eight grams of cocaine, 23 grams of fentanyl, $16,795 in cash, drug paraphernalia and a loaded magazine, according to prosecutors.

Authorities also conducted two controlled purchases from Paonessa on May 30 and June 7, 2023.

When Paonessa was arrested in September 2023, investigators recovered approximately 35 grams of fentanyl, nine grams of cocaine, cash and a digital scale.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler prosecuted the case. The investigation involved the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the North Tonawanda Police Department and the Niagara County Drug Task Force.