U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that Kenneth G. Shoemaker, II, also known as Kenny, from Buffalo, New York, has been charged with multiple drug-related offenses by a federal grand jury. The charges include distribution of fentanyl causing death, distribution of fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, and money laundering. These charges could result in a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Louis A. Testani and Melanie J. Bailey are handling the case. According to the superseding indictment presented by them, Shoemaker possessed fentanyl on September 23, 2023, which led to the death of an individual identified as E.I. Furthermore, between August 28 and October 18, 2024, Shoemaker is accused of selling fentanyl along with crack cocaine and cocaine while using a residence on Sweet Avenue in Buffalo for his drug trafficking operations.
Shoemaker is also alleged to have structured financial transactions at local banks to disguise the proceeds from his drug trafficking activities by transferring funds between different banks.
The investigation leading to this indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the New York Field Division; the New York State Police directed by Major Amie Feroleto; and the Buffalo Police Department led by Commissioner Alphonse Wright.