New York State Trooper Tipped Off Deadly Fentanyl Dealer

A New York State Trooper is blamed for having a role in overdose deaths in the Hudson Valley.

A New York State Police investigator who was once trusted to fight drug crime is now at the center of a federal case tied to a deadly drug dealer.

New York State Trooper Pleads Guilty

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Federal prosecutors say New York State Trooper John O’Flaherty, 43, pleaded guilty to lying to federal investigators after previously being accused of secretly helping a drug trafficker responsible for distributing fentanyl and other narcotics.

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According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, O’Flaherty admitted he made false statements during the investigation into his relationship with the dealer while working in a role tied to drug enforcement.

Many Overdose Deaths Tied Drug Dealer

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Officials say O'Flaherty worked in the narcotics unit and tipped off a fentanyl dealer that they were being investigated by law enforcement.

The dealer was an informant who sold drugs that led to several people losing their lives. Authorities allege the O'Flaherty tipped off the dealer about law enforcement activity and shared sensitive information, actions that prosecutors say undermined ongoing investigations and put lives at risk during the height of the opioid crisis.

O'Flaherty worked for Troop K and faces up to five years in prison.

These 6 New York Counties Have The Most Drug Overdose Deaths

New York State officials are worried because overdose death rates increased by 85 percent. Below are the top 6 counties in terms of opioid overdose deaths per 100,000.

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These 7 Prisons Are The Most Violent In New York State

New York released a report with the most recent number of violent assaults on inmates in state prisons. There were 134 inmate deaths noted in the report, although it doesn't break down the prisons where each death occurred or who caused them. Here's a look at some of the general violent incidents reported for 2020, which is the most recent data reported by the state. Compared to 10 years ago, inmate assaults have almost doubled. In 2011 there were 666 and in 2020 there were 1,205 reported. These numbers do not include inmate assaults on staff members. Overall, the number of unusual incidents includes things like assaults, deaths, accidents, sexual misconduct, and disruptive behavior. According to the state,

"The number of unusual incidents has increased 132% from 5,980 in 2011 to 13,870 in 2020. These higher incident numbers were largely due to increases in assaults on incarcerated individuals (+81%), assaults on staff (+86%), contraband (+130%), disruptive behavior (+372%), and staff use of weapons (+1,035%)."

In 2020, 1,836 weapons used to cut or stab, including ice picks, razor blades, can lids and shanks were discovered in state prisons around New York.

Gallery Credit: Yasmin Young