BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Buffalo man pleaded guilty Thursday to federal narcotics conspiracy charges for selling fentanyl and crack cocaine alongside his brother during a two-month operation in 2023.
Key Points
- Arquan Butler, 26, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine.
- Butler and his brother sold drugs to a confidential informant on 10 occasions.
- He faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 40 years in prison.
Arquan Butler, also known as “Easy,” entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years, along with a possible $5 million fine.
Federal prosecutors say Butler conspired with his brother, Jahaun Butler, between May 9 and July 5, 2023, to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine in the Buffalo area. The pair sold approximately 72 grams of fentanyl and about two grams of crack cocaine across 10 controlled transactions with a confidential law enforcement informant.
Co-defendant already sentenced
Jahaun Butler was previously convicted for his role in the conspiracy and is currently serving a 41-month prison sentence. Arquan Butler’s plea comes as part of an ongoing investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and local police agencies.
The case was investigated by the DEA’s New York Field Division, the New York State Police, and the Amherst Police Department.