Buffalo Man with Prior Felony Convictions Arrested on Federal Gun and Cocaine Distribution Charges

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Buffalo man with multiple prior felony convictions has been arrested and charged federally with illegally possessing firearms and possessing cocaine with intent to distribute after investigators executed search warrants at a restaurant, a residence, and a vehicle.

Steven S. Butler, 42, of Buffalo, New York, was charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

The charges carry a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

The case remains at the charging stage. Butler has not been convicted of the current offenses and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

According to the criminal complaint, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force and the Buffalo Police Department Gang Intelligence Unit had been investigating Butler based on suspicions that he was distributing large quantities of cocaine.

Investigators executed a search warrant on August 24, 2026, at Ike and BG’s, a restaurant located at 1646 Genesee Street in Buffalo.

Federal authorities said the restaurant is owned and operated by Butler and was allegedly being used to store and distribute narcotics.

During that search, investigators seized quantities of suspected cocaine, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $169,553 in cash.

Butler was taken into custody following the search. The investigation continued the next day.

On August 25, 2026, authorities executed additional search warrants at Butler’s residence on Old Post Road in Lancaster and on his vehicle.

Investigators recovered seven handguns and approximately $102,506 in additional cash during those searches.

Combined, the two rounds of searches resulted in the seizure of approximately $272,059 in cash, along with the firearms, suspected narcotics, and drug-related paraphernalia described in the complaint.

Butler’s prior criminal history is central to the federal firearms charge.

According to prosecutors, Butler was previously convicted of felony offenses in 2004, 2008, and 2013.

Those prior convictions legally prohibit him from possessing firearms under federal law.

The drug charge is based on the government’s allegation that Butler possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute it.

At this stage, the government must still prove the elements of both charges beyond a reasonable doubt if the case proceeds to trial.

Butler made his initial federal court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder Jr.

He was ordered detained.

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the arrest and charges.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Allen D. Davis II, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Erika Shields.

The case reflects the type of joint federal-local investigation often used when authorities are examining suspected narcotics trafficking alongside illegal firearm possession.

The search of the restaurant, residence, and vehicle gave investigators access to multiple locations allegedly connected to Butler’s activities and produced evidence that federal prosecutors are now relying on in the criminal complaint.

The seven recovered handguns are central to the federal firearms charge because prosecutors state that Butler’s prior felony convictions legally prohibit him from possessing a firearm.

The case is still in its early stages.

A criminal complaint is an accusation, not a conviction, and Butler remains presumed innocent unless the government proves the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

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