Buffalo Man Indicted On Fentanyl Charges

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

Buffalo, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Donald Hennings, 32, of Buffalo, NY, with possession with intent to distribute and distribution of 10 grams or more of butyryl fentanyl and furanyl fentanyl, and maintaining a drug-involved premises. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between September 28, 2016, and November 17, 2016, law enforcement officers made 10 controlled purchases of substances containing butyryl fentanyl and furanyl fentanyl from the defendant using a confidential source (CS). Hennings conducted the transactions inside a Chevy Traverse at various locations in Buffalo, often in parking lots of high-traffic locations like supermarkets or gas stations. The defendant was surveilled before and after several of the purchases coming from or returning to his residence at 325 Southside Parkway in Buffalo.
A search warrant was subsequently executed at the defendant’s residence. Officers recovered quantities of butyryl fentanyl and furanyl fentanyl, and crack cocaine, along with distribution paraphernalia including a grinder, rubber bands, and glassine bags.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Hamburg Police Department, under the direction of Chief Gregory Wickett, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.