Michael Tanner and Jemel Moody: Folklore, Rumor, or Hidden Figures?

In many cities, local legends grow in the spaces where official records are silent and distrust of institutions runs high. In Buffalo, NY, one such tale concerns Michael Tanner and his counterpart, Jemel Moody. Rumors claim that Tanner is either an undercover FBI agent or a police officer, while Moody is said to move in the shadows — as an undercover officer or even a federal informant. Their alleged exploits span horrifying narratives of trafficking, drug operations, gang associations, and dismantling federal operations. But what do we really know about these two figures, and how much of it is steeped in fact versus local folklore?