Maio is also charged with using and maintaining a drug-involved premises, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on premises where an individual under 18 was present and resided.

“Today we unveil a new weapon which we deploy as part of our effort to protect our community from the scourge that methamphetamine trafficking brings to it,” noted U.S. Attorney Kennedy. “This indictment marks the first time that any person in the Western District of New York has been charged with violating Title 21, United States Code, Section 860a, which requires that the sentencing court impose a mandatory, additional, consecutive term of up to 20 years in prison, whenever a methamphetamine-related drug offenses occurs on a premises at which a child is present. While we have directed much of our recent law enforcement effort to combatting deadly opioids, methamphetamine—though it may be a slower death—also kills. When it comes to protecting our community, new threats warrant new responses.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, beginning in March 2018, the Jamestown Police Department Narcotics Unit began investigating Maio and Smith for the distribution of methamphetamine in and around the City of Jamestown. The investigation included controlled purchases of narcotics from defendant Maio.

On January 23, 2019, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force executed a state search warrant at Maio’s residence on Main Street in East Randolph, NY. Maio and Smith were present at the time, along with two other adults and three minor children. Smith attempted to leave the residence but was detained and searched. Investigators recovered suspected crystal methamphetamine and on Smith. They also searched Maio and recovered suspected crack cocaine and a large amount of cash.

During a search of the residence, investigators recovered suspected marijuana, crystal methamphetamine, a digital scale, and other drug packaging and paraphernalia.

The defendants were arraigned this morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and detained.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Ray Donovan, New York Field Division, and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force, under the direction of Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Ronald Lott.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Clockwise from upper left: Kyle Kamholtz, Celeste Carr, Brandon Smith, and Sam Critzer

JAMESTOWN – Four people in Jamestown were arrested Tuesday on charges related to possessing methamphetamine following two separate investigations by the Jamestown Metro Drug Task force.

Investigators from the Task Force arrested 32-year-old Kyle Kamholz around 1 p.m. Tuesday following the execution of a search warrant at 102 McKinley Ave.

Police say as part of an investigation, they received information the location was being used to traffic crystal meth. Police took Kahmolz into custody near the home and allegedly found him in possession of 4.8 grams of meth along with brass knuckles. A small quantity of meth was also reportedly found in the residence, along with packaging materials.

Kamholz was arrested on related charges and sent to the city jail for arraignment.

A separate investigation into the sale and trafficking of crystal meth in the city led to the arrest of three city residents. Police say Brandon Smith, Celeste Carr, and Samual Critzer – all 32 and all from Jamestown – were arrested at a home at 6 Terrace Pl. in the city.

That arrest came after investigators obtained information meth was reportedly being sold from that location and a search warrant was issued. Three children were also in the home. Inside the home police reportedly found 13 grams of crystal meth, packaging material, and drug paraphernalia.

All three face drug-related charges. In addition, Smith was charged with violating terms of federal probation and Carr was charged on three counts of child endangerment.

All three were sent to the city jail to await arraignment.

Brandon Smith, Mark Maio, and Brittany Dellahoy

BUFFALO – Three individuals arrested earlier this month is what was described as the largest methamphetamine busts in the region’s history now face federal charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s office in Buffalo announced Tuesday that 38 year-old Mark Maio, and 28 year-old Brittany Dellahoy of East Randolph and 32 year-old Brandon Smith of Jamestown have been charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine and cocaine, and maintaining a drug involved premises. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said the Jamestown Police Department had been investigating Maio and Smith for distributing methamphetamine in and around the City of Jamestown since March of 2018.

On January 24 of this year the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force executed a state search warrant at Maio and Dellahoy’s residence on Main Street in Randolph. During the search officers recovered quantities of crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, crack cocaine and a large amount of cash.

The three are being held pending a detention hearing on Friday.

Left to Right: Brandon Smith, Mark Maio, and Brittany Dellahoy

RANDOLPH – The Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force has made one of the largest discoveries of crystal methamphetamine in its three-decade history in Randolph Wednesday night.

According to the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office, a search warrant at an apartment at 128 Main St. in the Cattaraugus County village – just miles from the Chautauqua county border – reportedly yielding more than a pound and a half of crystal meth packaged for sale with a street value of $75,000.

Two residents of the apartment, 34-year-old Mark Maio and 28 year-old Brittany Dellahoy were charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a class A-1 felony, the highest level felony in the state.

A third suspect, 32-year-old Brandon Smith of Jamestown, was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, a class B felony.

All three were arraigned in Conewango Town Court and held without bail.

Rocco Beardsley and Brandon Smith

JAMESTOWN – An ongoing investigation into the sales and trafficking of illegal narcotics led investigators from Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and NYSP CNET to executive a search warrant Wednesday at 248 Broadhead Ave.

Inside the upper apartment investigators reportedly found a large quantity of powder cocaine and crystal methamphetamine during the search. More than 60 grams of power cocaine was seized.

Investigators arrested three individuals. The are:

• 30  year-old Rocco Beardsley
• 29 year-old Brandon Smith
• 17 year old female

Beardsley and the 17-year-old were both charged with two counts of 3rd degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Smith was charged with 7th degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

All subjects are currently in the city jail awaiting arraignment.

Police also say that anyone who may have information regarding to drug activity or trafficking in Jamestown should call the city’s anonymous tip line at (716) 483-TIPS (8477).

Pictured clockwise from upper left: Rocco Beardsley, Aimee Hogg, Brandon Smith and Beau Jones.

JAMESTOWN – An ongoing investigation into the unlawful manufacture and trafficking of methamphetamine in the Jamestown area has led to the arrest of four individuals.

Jamestown police say members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at 600 W. 5th St. Thursday night, March 26. Police say entry was gained into the location with the assistance of the Jamestown Police SWAT team and inside they found a “one pot method” meth lab with more than 4 ounces of meth oil and a quantity of methamphetamine.

Police say also inside the location was 30 year-old Beau Jones, a Jamestown man who was wanted on an outstanding felony warrant for unlawful manufacture and possession of meth in the 2nd degree.

Three others were also in the residence during the raid and charged with 2nd degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful manufacture of meth in the 3rd degree. The names of the three are:

• Rocco Beardsley, 29
• Aimee Hogg, 29
• Brandon Smith, 28

Police say the investigation was assisted by the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and the New York State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team (CCSERT).

The Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force is made up of members of the Jamestown Police Department, Ellicott Police, and assisted by the NY State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) and the Chautauqua County Department of Probation.

The Southern Regional Drug Task Force is made up of members of the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Dunkirk Police.

Anyone with information on the illegal trafficking or manufacture of narcotics in the Jamestown area is asked to contact the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force anonymous tip line at (716) 483-Tips.