Drugs seized by police on December 7, 2022

Nineteen people have been arrested following a narcotics investigation into a large scale fentanyl and methamphetamine distribution ring in the Jamestown area.

The Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Narcotics Investigators, and Ellicott Police Department conducted raids on 628 Spring Street and 15 West Cowden Street in Jamestown, and at 252 West Main Street in Falconer on Wednesday afternoon, December 7.

Police seized in the three raids over 107 grams of fentanyl, over 19 grams of methamphetamine, packing materials, a 9mm pistol that was previously reported stolen from the Village of Lakewood, a large capacity ammunition feeding device, and $2,940 in cash.

Richard Kinsey

JAMESTOWN – A Jamestown man was arrested on a federal drug trafficking warrant Thursday, but not until after he attempted to escape the police when they arrived at a residence at 126 Hedges Ave.

Police say 35-year-old Richard Kinsey Jr. was wanted on a federal drug trafficking warrant. Members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force arrived at the scene with the U.S. Marshall’s service to serve the warrant and pick up Kinsey.

During the stop they obtained observed crystal methamphetamine “in plain view” within the home and were able to get a search warrant. In all, police reported discovering 25.2 grams of methamphetamine, a loaded handgun and drug paraphernalia.

Police also say when they attempted to bring Kinsey into custody he allegedly fled the home, but was quickly captured by officers waiting outside.

Kinsey was previously charged last October on drug charges, along with possession of a weapon and possession of stolen property.

• MOBILE APP USERS: LISTEN VIA SOUNDCLOUD

Originally airing on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

WRFA’s Jason Sample talks with local advocate Rick Huber to get his thoughts on the current state of chemical dependency in the community as well as what more can be done to reduce the numbers and also help those dealing with addiction.

Rick Huber

Chautauqua County Sheriff deputies say 35-year-old Tye Kenny died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning believed to have been connected to a meth lab from a residence located at 26 Pearl St. in the north county village.

The death was discovered after the Forestville Volunteer Fire Department was sent to the residence early Thursday morning for an unresponsive subject.

On arrival, both sheriff’s deputies and fire personnel noticed evidence of a meth lab, so the county HazMat Team was called in.

The Post-Journal says a couple of the officers took themselves to Lake Shore Hospital for evaluation following the incident.

The Sheriff’s office says a large quantity of methamphetamine was located and collected along with a large quantity of items related to the Production and manufacture of methamphetamine.

City police say the Jamestown Metro Drug Task force arrested 39-year-old David Flannigan Friday morning after he was pulled over near Exit 12 of Interstate 86.

Flannigan was allegedly driving on a suspended license and was arrested.

Police also say he was in possession of more than five ounces of methamphetamine.

He was arrested on related charges and is now in police custody.

Matthew Kiser

WARREN – A Warren County School District teacher was removed from class and arrested on drug charges on Tuesday.

The Post-Journal says Matthew Kiser is a teacher at Beaty-Warren Middle School and has been charged with possession with intent to deliver, two counts of corruption of minors, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, possessing a weapon on school property, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The arrest came after both the City of Warren Police and Warren County School District received an anonymous tip that Kiser was allegedly using drugs and paraphernalia during school.

Police said they located a quantity of methamphetamine, marijuana, and more than 100 pills of different types were found in Kiser’s backpack that he had with him in school.

Police also found a meth pipe, a box-cutter knife, and Nicorette in Kiser’s classroom.

Kiser was removed from the building during school on Tuesday and his vehicle was reportedly towed.

Following his arraignment he was sent to the county jail in Warren on $35,000 bail.

Richard Brown – Timothy Blakeslee

JAMESTOWN – Local law enforcement discovered a large amount of crystal methamphetamine in Jamestown following an investigation into drug trafficking.

Police arrested 39-year-old Richard Brown and 30-year-old Timothy Blakeslee after executing a search warrant Monday around 11:20 a.m. at 135 Sprague St.

The search was the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and Southern Tier Regional Task Force. Inside the residence investigators located over 2 ounces of crystal meth, several bags of heroin and $1,300 in cash.

Both men were arrested on related charges and sent to the city jail to await arraignments.

Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office deputies were conducting a warrant check in Mayville Thursday afternoon on Blanchard Street and spotted a vehicle driven by 38 year-old Kristen Nelson of Jamestown pulling into the driveway. The vehicle’s passenger, identified as 40 year-old Sarah Johnson, also of Jamestown, was allegedly seen placing items behind a youth sitting in the vehicle. Deputies further investigated and reportedly found a large methamphetamine pipe sticking out of a diaper bag and also a bag of marijuana and a marijuana pipe.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a large sum of cash, three scales, plastic bag packaging material, multiple containers of methamphetamine and multiple hypodermic needles. Nelson, Johnson and a passenger – 33 year-old Richard Philbrick – were all charged. Child Protective Services was also contacted for the two youths found inside the vehicle.

All three were sent to the county jail to await arraignment on related charges.

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.

According to an article in Friday’s Jamestown Post-Journal, Snellings appeared Thursday before the the Strategic Planning and Partnership Commission’s Health Care Action Team to give an update on illegal drugs in the city.

The police chief said there’s also been an increase in cocaine, but police are not seeing heroin as much as they were in just 4 to 5 years ago.
In addition to the update on drug activity, Snellings also said the city police are working with the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County and county officials to map where overdoses take place in the city.

In addition, the police are also sending information about how to receive help for addiction, including information about peer groups in the area.