WHITE PLAINS – Former New York State Police Drug Investigator Michael O’Flaherty, 43, of Poughkeepsie, pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday, admitting that he told a former confidential informant, considered a major fentanyl distributor, of an investigation into his dealings and then lied to fellow law enforcement agents when asked about it. O’Flaherty had been with the state police since 2013.
He was arrested by FBI agents at New York State Police Troop K Headquarters in November 2024 after a federal indictment was unsealed, charging O’Flaherty with two felony counts of obstruction of an official proceeding and two felony counts of offering false statements. O’Flaherty on Wednesday pled guilty to one count of making false statements, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, according to the US Attorney’s Office.
“Michael O’Flaherty, a New York State Police narcotics investigator, exploited his position of public trust, betrayed the oath he swore to protect New Yorkers, and jeopardized the safety of fellow law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton. “He did the unthinkable. He tipped off a drug trafficker—responsible for distributing tens of thousands of fentanyl pills—to a covert narcotics investigation. When questioned by federal investigators, O’Flaherty lied repeatedly to cover his tracks. Today’s guilty plea demonstrates our Office’s continued commitment—and the commitment of our police departments—to rooting out the bad apples.”
During the investigation, O’Flaherty was assigned to the New York State Police Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team (VGNET). According to court documents, Federal law enforcement was investigating a large-scale fentanyl distribution ring, and agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) realized that the primary dealer in the ring had previously acted as a confidential informant for O’Flaherty.
O’Flaherty was made aware of the investigation and offered to help the federal agents in breaking up the drug ring. According to the FBI, O’Flaherty failed to say that he had maintained a personal relationship with the dealer/informant. O’Flaherty is accused of providing information about the investigation to the fentanyl dealer and warning him to get rid of his cell phones because of the surveillance.
As part of his plea, O’Flaherty admitted to lying to federal agents about several key facts, including but not limited to:
- Meeting with the informant/drug dealer without the presence of another member of law enforcement.
- Receiving any item of value from the dealer/informant (sneakers).
- Implicitly disclosed to the informant/dealer information about the subject being under investigation.
- Sending pictures of cash to the informant/dealer.
- Documenting all contacts with informant/dealer.
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