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.

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.

Mark Maio (left) and Mariah Snyder

JAMESTOWN – Two city residents were arrested Monday after a drug investigation by local police.

Jamestown Police say the arrests took place at 1:45 p.m. at 305 E. Fifth St., Apt. 37. Inside, police reportedly found a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and cash.

Arrested were 32 year-old Mark Maio and 18 year-old Mariah Snyder. Both face drug-related charges and were sent to the city jail to await arraignment.