Federal Jury Convicts Wyoming Man Of Distribution Of Fentanyl Resulting In Death

Anthony Michael Assfy Faces a Mandatory Minimum of Twenty Years in Prison

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that Anthony Michael Assfy, 29, of Wyoming, Michigan, was convicted of six federal drug trafficking charges after a three day jury trial. The convictions were for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine, distribution of heroin and crack cocaine (three counts), and possession with intent to distribute heroin and crack cocaine.

          The evidence at trial demonstrated that on August 29, 2018, Assfy sold fentanyl to a Solon Township resident who used the fentanyl, believing it to be heroin, and died. Upon arriving at the overdose scene, detectives from the Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (KANET) found evidence that indicated Assfy was the decedent’s dealer. Law enforcement posed as the decedent to set up a purchase of narcotics from Assfy on August 30, 2018. Assfy arrived at the Grand Rapids deal site and was arrested by law enforcement. In addition to the fentanyl that Assfy intended to deliver to the decedent, law enforcement discovered another 36 grams of fentanyl and nearly 4 grams of crack cocaine concealed on Assfy’s person upon booking him into the Kent County Jail.

          After posting bond on his state charges, Assfy continued to deal heroin and crack cocaine until November 2018. He was charged for distributing heroin and crack cocaine to a law enforcement agent on three occasions during this timeframe. On November 13, 2018, law enforcement executed a search warrant on a residence that Assfy used as a deal location. Law enforcement seized another 19 grams of heroin and some crack cocaine, for which Assfy was charged.

          "Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 80 – 100 times more potent than morphine and is cheap to produce," said U.S. Attorney Birge. "We are increasingly seeing fentanyl mixed together with heroin or fentanyl being passed off as heroin in our West Michigan communities. Due to fentanyl’s potency, ingestion is often deadly. My office is committed to prosecuting drug dealers that cause deaths to the fullest extent of the law." Anthony Assfy’s sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for June 8, 2020 before Chief Judge Robert J. Jonker. He faces a mandatory minimum term of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison.

          This case was investigated by KANET, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, the

          Kentwood Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Vito S. Solitro and Joel S. Fauson.

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