Guns and drugs are a scourge in this community, a judge said Friday when he sentenced Mickey Buonomo to a three-year penitentiary term for trafficking and weapons offences that occurred in 2021.
Referring to statistics that indicate Sault Ste. Marie is among the deadliest cities for opioids — third-highest rate in Ontario, according to the latest data — Justice Michael Varpio described the community as "being buckled by a modern plague."
"Simply put, that is the background l have to consider when I look at Mr. Buonomo and what he’s done,” the judge said.
Varpio pointed to the need for general deterrence and to denunciate the 42-year-old man's actions.
But when it comes to specific deterrence, the judge said rehabilitative steps Buonomo has taken while in custody indicate "he gets the message, but the rest of the community has to get it (too)."
Buonomo pleaded guilty in November to weapons offences, including unauthorized possession of a shotgun, possession of 12-gauge shotgun shells and careless storage of a firearm.
He also was convicted of possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance: oxycodone, cocaine and methamphetamine.
The charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in a parking lot on July 30, 2021.
With the credit he received for pre-sentence custody, Buonomo faces a further 307 days incarceration — time he will serve in a provincial jail.
The federal Crown was seeking a four-year prison term, while the defence called for three years, arguing there were "exceptional circumstances" involving his client that should be considered.
Buonomo has completed every program available to him at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre, his lawyer Anthony Orazietti told the court.
This is "quite remarkable" and "I've never seen that before," the defence said.
"He began taking responsibility for his actions and accepts that he needs help."
Buonomo had "quite a horrendous upbringing," his lawyer said.
His substance abuse "spiraled out of control in April 2020 after his father passed away," Orazietti said, adding "that's part of the reason he's before the court today."
His drug use affected his job — employment he had through the labourers' union since 2008 — when he frequently began missing work.
It also took a toll on his personal life, as his 20-year relationship with his partner deteriorated and ended 10 months before the offences, Orazietti told the court.
"They remain friends,” he said. “She continues to support him through his struggles."
Buonomo has a criminal record, but it has a 20-year gap prior to these crimes.
"He was a contributing member of society most of his adult life," the defence said, noting his client will be able to work when he's released from custody.
Federal prosecutor Ben Pritchard argued the accused had trafficked a significant amount of fentanyl (28.4 grams), as well as 4.84 grams of cocaine, and crystal meth.
He also had two guns, one of which was loaded, weigh scales, drugs with a value of $14,000, and $1,000 cash.
Buonomo had a cocaine problem, and "was trafficking fentanyl for profit," actively selling it in the Sault to raise money for himself, Pritchard maintained.
He may have been using cocaine, but he chose to traffic fentanyl, the prosecutor said.
"He sacrificed his own family of 20 years for drugs."
The guns, "together with the significant amount of fentanyl," are aggravating factors, Pritchard said.
A message must be sent that "this type of conduct won't be tolerated."
The accused has made efforts towards rehabilitation, but "I'd say they are not exceptional," Pritchard told Varpio.
Provincial Crown Trent Wilson called for a three-year concurrent sentence for the weapons offences.
"'He's on drugs. We know what firearms are for," he said. "This is troublesome."
Buonomo apologized to the court, his family, friends, work and the community.
"I took my programs and I don't want to go back to the life I was living before I was arrested," he told Varpio.
"My wife left me. I want to go back to work and my life, and to be part of my son's life."
When he imposed the sentence, the judge agreed it is an exceptional case based on the pre-sentence report, Buonomo's difficult childhood, issues with his father, his "heartfelt apology to the court" and 20 years of lawful conduct in the community.
"I have no doubt you suffered childhood trauma," Varpio told him, but so have others and "it has not resulted in selling fentanyl."
He also noted, "You have literally exhausted every single program available to you and have secured residential treatment" (for when he is released from custody).
Such drug and gun offences require a sentence of 4.6 years without exception, Varpio said.
But Buonomo's case is exceptional because "I can take specific deterrence off the table."
The sentence, however, must drive home to the community that dealing drugs and possessing weapons will attract a federal sentence — "that you are going to the pen," the judge said.
Once Buonomo serves the remainder of his time, he will be on probation for two years with conditions that include counselling.
Varpio also imposed a lifetime weapons prohibition and ordered him to provide a DNA sample.
He also ordered forfeiture of the weapons and other seized items to the Crown.
"I hope I never see you again because that means these efforts have not been wasted," the judge told Buonomo.