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.