(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. – A federal grand jury has indicted Rashaun Crule, 30, of Buffalo, NY, on charges of narcotics conspiracy and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. The charges stem from the deaths of two individuals in February 2023 and carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson stated that Crule allegedly distributed a substance to victims identified as M.M. and B.Y. in Amherst, NY, under the pretense that it was cocaine. Investigators determined the substance was pure fentanyl. Both victims overdosed immediately after ingesting it, and their bodies were not discovered for several days.
An investigation revealed that Crule deleted messages between himself and one of the victims following the incident. Months later, he reportedly joked in a text about the potency of his fentanyl, responding with laughing emojis to comments about its overdose risk.
At the time of the alleged crimes, Crule was on probation for a 2022 felony drug conviction in Erie County.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino of the New York Field Division, and the Amherst Police Department, led by Chief Scott Chamberlin.
As with all criminal cases, Crule is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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