'Streets Safer' After Long Island Drug Dealer Gets 35 Years To Life: DA

RIVERSIDE, NY — A Bellport man was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison in connection with selling drugs to an undercover detective, as well as numerous drug and weapon charges, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Thursday.

Johnnie Funderburke, 38, sold heroin to an undercover detective from Suffolk police's Narcotics Section three times back in June 2021, prosecutors said. The next month, in July, police officers executed a search warrant of his home and found fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, two digital scales, cash, and a loaded 9-mm pistol, according to prosecutors.

“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,” Tierney said. “We will not allow violent felons to push drugs into our streets and neighborhoods in Suffolk County without severe repercussions.”

Funderburke has multiple prior felony convictions including second-degree attempted robbery and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon from 2007, and second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon in 2011.

Funderburke was declared a mandatory persistent violent offender following a hearing.
He was found guilty in June after a trial of multiple counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as second-and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

Patch has reached out to his attorney, Christopher Brocato of Central Islip, for comment.