State Police Investigator Charged with Aiding a Fentanyl Trafficker

New York State Police narcotics investigators will face federal charges for allegedly obstructing a fentanyl trafficking investigation and assisting a drug trafficker in Dutchess County. Michael O’Flaherty, 42, is accused of leaking details of the investigation to his former informant, advising him to destroy evidence and lying to federal investigators.

Prosecutors allege O’Flaherty interfered with a 2022 investigation into a trafficker linked to multiple overdose deaths by trying to conceal his interactions through phone calls, text messages and meetings. Detained on Thursday, he was charged with two counts of obstructing official proceedings and two counts of giving false testimony, for which he faces a total potential sentence of 50 years in prison.

Officials condemned O’Flaherty’s actions, saying they undermined public trust and jeopardized law enforcement efforts.

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