United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), New York Division announced today that Charles Newkirk, 34, of Buffalo NY, pleaded guilty, before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, to possessing with intent to distribute, and distributing, 10 grams or more of butyryl fentanyl. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Tokash, who is handling the case, stated that between June 25, 2015, and July 28, 2015, the defendant sold large volumes of heroin and butyryl fentanyl in the City of Buffalo. During that period, a confidential source made three undercover purchases of heroin and butyryl fentanyl from Newkirk.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Buffalo Resident Office, New York Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 7, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.