Buffalo Man Indicted on Federal Drug Charges

A Buffalo man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to an alleged drug trafficking operation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

Michael R. Prell Jr., 43, who also goes by the aliases Struggle Mike, Struggle, and Jr., is accused of conspiring to distribute cocaine and attempting to possess five kilograms or more of the drug with the intent to distribute. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life if convicted.

Federal prosecutors allege that between early 2024 and September 26, 2024, Prell worked with others to distribute cocaine. He is also accused of attempting to obtain the drug on three separate occasions: August 1, September 25, and September 26 of last year.

Prell was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy and released on unspecified conditions.

The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino III of the New York Field Division, and the New York State Police, under Major Amie P. Feroleto.

As with all criminal cases, the charges are accusations. Prell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.