U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that a federal grand jury has indicted William McKinney, also known as Zell, from Greensboro, North Carolina. The 43-year-old faces charges of distributing fentanyl, which could result in a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life imprisonment, along with a $10 million fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey E. Intravatola is managing the case. According to the indictment, McKinney allegedly sold fentanyl on November 12, 2023. He reportedly traveled from North Carolina to Buffalo to distribute approximately two kilograms of the Schedule II controlled substance.
McKinney was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and ordered detained. He has been returned to custody in North Carolina due to unrelated charges there.
The indictment follows an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Erin Keegan, and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff John Garcia’s direction.
It is important to note that being charged with a crime is merely an accusation; McKinney is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
