Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins stated that beginning in early 2016, the Mercado served as one of the primary mid-level distributors of heroin and cocaine for the Sigfredo Martinez drug organization. Mercado admitted that he was responsible for the “night shift” transactions, and stated that his co-defendant, Bryan Ferrer-Vazquez, distributed during the “day shift.”

The defendant admitted that he received a couple hundred bundles of heroin from Martinez every few days and was tasked with distributing it to smaller dealers and users. Mercado said he would then turn over the proceeds to Martinez and take payment for his role in the distribution. The defendant also directed co-defendant Ferrer-Vazquez to distribute heroin to specific customers and would collect the proceeds earned by Ferrer-Vazquez on behalf of Martinez. During this period of time, Mercado occasionally worked with other uncharged co-conspirators to process bulk quantities of heroin and repackage it for retail sale.

Between November 3, 2016, and March 2, 2017, the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted four controlled purchases of heroin with the defendant. On April 6, 2017, federal search warrants were executed at 385 Buffalo Street, the residence of Ferrer-Vazquez, and 32 Duquesne Street, the residence of Sigfredo Martinez. At each location, law enforcement officers seized numerous ledgers and paper records of drug transactions. A federal search warrant was also executed at Mercado’s residence at 1083 North Main Street in Jamestown where approximately 10 ounces of marijuana and several suboxone strips were recovered.

Ferrer-Vazquez was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges remain pending against Martinez.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings, and the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force.

Beau Jones (left) and Matt Jones, following their arrests in 2016

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced Tuesday, April 24 that Matthew Jones, 33, and Beau Jones, 31, both of Jamestown, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, methamphetamine.

Matthew Jones pleaded guilty to a conspiracy involving five grams or more of methamphetamine and faces a minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 40 years, and a $5,000,000 fine.

His brother, Beau Jones, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy involving 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and faces a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that the defendants were arrested on December 1, 2016, after a shipment of more than 360 grams of methamphetamine was delivered, via the U.S. mail, to the brothers at Matthew Jones’ residence at 70 Colfax in Jamestown.

Shortly after the delivery, Beau Jones was arrested during a car stop by police and the parcel containing the methamphetamine was discovered in the backseat of his vehicle. Matthew Jones was arrested later that day during a separate car stop. A safe was found in the trunk of his car containing an additional quantity of approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine.

The pleas are the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division; and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings.

Sentencing for Matthew Jones is scheduled for July 30. Sentencing for Beau Jones is schedule for August 7.

Juan Pacheco Jr. following his August 2016 arrest

BUFFALO – Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced Friday that a federal grand jury has returned an 11-count indictment charging 34 year-old Juan Pacheco, Jr. and 36 year-old Andrew “Bam” Garner, both of Jamestown, with conspiracy to distribute over five kilograms or more of cocaine, over 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and marijuana, and maintaining a drug involved premises.

Pacheco was also charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Garner was additionally charged with distribution of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 20 year in prison for Pacheco and 10 years in prison for Garner. Both face a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael P. Fellicetta, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between April 2016 and September 2016, the defendants received large quantities of drugs from California that were smuggled into the United States from Mexico. Members of the Drug Enforcement Administration working collaboratively with law enforcement officers from the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force (JMDTF) identified Pacheco and Garner as significant dealers in the Jamestown area.

On May 19, 2016, JMDTF officers executed a search warrant at Garner’s apartment, located at 840 East 2nd Street in Jamestown. Inside, officers recovered bags containing cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana, along with baggies, scales, and a video surveillance system that covered the perimeter of the residence. Garner was arrested on June 14, 2016.

Pacheco was arrested on August 18, 2016, after officers executed a search warrant at a residence, believed to be Pacheco’s stash house, located at 477 Main Street in Jamestown. Officers seized approximately nine kilograms of cocaine, more than three kilograms of methamphetamine, and over six pounds of marijuana. The DEA also seized nearly $133,000 in cash that was found at the residence and approximately $7,000 from Pacheco’s pocket upon his arrest. Two vehicles belonging to Pacheco were also seized in the raid, including a Mercedes C300 and a Ford F150.

The defendants are being detained.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of James J. Hunt, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York Field Division; the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, which includes officers from the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings; the Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of William L. Ohnmeiss Jr.; and the New York State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET), under the direction of Lieutenant Kevin Reyes and Major David Krause.

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

According to Huchul, To date, there are 150 confirmed opioid-related deaths in Erie County and 74% of those deaths involved fentanyl.”

In 2014, over 27,000 lives were lost to heroin and opioids in the United States, and reports indicate that number increased in 2015 and this year.

The largest number of deaths came from the abuse of prescription opioids, but the number of heroin deaths, including heroin laced with fentanyl, has increased dramatically over the last several years.

The Department of Justice has designated September 19-23, 2016 as Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. The fight against this deadly epidemic involves a three-pronged approach: prevention; enforcement; and treatment. The goal of enforcement is to reduce the supply of these deadly substances.

U.S. Attorney William Hochul, Jr.

U.S. Attorney Hochul encourages all in our community to:

• Have meaningful conversations with your family about the dangers of heroin and opioid abuse, it can happen to anyone.
• Get involved in activities in the community against heroin and opioids.
• Contact law enforcement if you suspect drug-related activity in your neighborhood.
• If you have prescription opioids in your home, make sure they are safely locked away.

To further raise awareness about this epidemic, on Thursday, September 22, 2016, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with the Better Business Bureau of Upstate NY to present “Opiates in the Workplace.”

This two-hour event is free and open to all businesses in WNY. Employers can learn how to recognize the signs of addiction and ways to assist employees.

For more information and to register, go to http://bbbupstateny.org/opiates-workplace-registration/.

U.S. Attorney William Hochul, Jr.

BUFFALO – U.S. Attorney William Hochul, Jr. will hold a news conference Monday afternoon in Buffalo to begin National Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.

The Department of Justice has designated September 19-23, 2016 as Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week to bring awareness to the drug epidemic, which Hochul’s office says continues to devastate families across the country, including here in Western New York.

Hochul will be joined by a representative of the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and Lakeshore Behavioral Health.

During today’s event, Hochul will also release details of “Opiates in the Workplace” – an upcoming program designed for local businesses to learn how to recognize the signs of addiction and ways to assist employees.