Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Astorga, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, the defendants are accused of operating a drug trafficking organization, primarily involving methamphetamine, in the Jamestown area, since March 2017.

Arrested were:

• Zackiel Fields, Jr.;
• Ernest Cauley, Jr., a/k/a L.A., a/k/a Ernie;
• Jamell Trapp, a/k/a K.S.;
• Ramael Fields;
• Stephanie L. Harrison;
• Marcus Martin Bowman;
• Danny W. Michael, Ill;
• Alexis V. Hall;
• Destiny J. Hare;
• Andrew C. Bennett;
• Searcy E. Fields;
• Jacob A. Motherwell;
• Michael A. Davis; and
• Stacie N. Yancer

During the execution of search warrants throughout the investigation, officers reportedly recovered 10 firearms, multiple rounds of ammunition, 20 cellphones, drug paraphernalia and U.S. currency.

Jamestown police have dubbed the indictment as “Operation Meltdown Part 2” – referencing the large-scale drug conspiracy brought to light in June in which officials outlined how methamphetamine originating from Mexico was being distributed to Dunkirk and Jamestown.

All 14 city residents were arraigned on a 42-count federal grand jury indictment earlier this week.

The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $10,000,000 fine.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings.

Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings stands with other local, state and federal officials on June 19 to provide details of a major meth trafficking investigation and 18 subsequent arrests.

JAMESTOWN – A joint effort by local, state, and federal authorities has led to the arrest of 18 individuals involved with allegedly trafficking and selling methamphetamine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Karaszewski was in Jamestown Tuesday to announce details of Operation Meltdown.  He was joined by representatives from the Jamestown Police Department, the Town Of Ellicott Police, the New York State Police, the FBI and the ATF.

Karaszewski said the investigation began in November 2017 when it was learned individuals were using the U.S. Post Office to ship methamphetamine from California to Fredonia. The drug, which was described as 97 percent pure, originated from Mexico. Once in Fredonia, the drug was then distributed throughout Chautauqua County, including here in Jamestown. In all about seven pounds of the drug, with an estimated street value of $300,000, made its way into  the area during the past seven months.

The individuals who were arrested in Operation Meltdown, a joint investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in Chautauqua County, NY.

Karaszewski said the drugs were sent to the home of 27-year-old Jamell Trapp and Marcus Bowman of Fredonia. The two men were arrested on Monday and charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Also arrested on federal charges of possession with intent to distribute were 44 year-old Danny Michael III; 23 year-old Alexis Hall, 29 year-old Andrew Bennett, 49 year-old Searcy Fields, 29 year-old Jacob Motherwell, 33 year-old Michael Davis, and 38 year-old Stacie Yancer, all of Jamestown, and 29 year-old Destiny Hare of Randolph.

Six other Jamestown area residents were also arrested on state charges of conspiracy to distribute of methamphetamine. They were 22 year-old Evan Motherwell, 50 year-old Tina Motherwell, 50, 37 year-old Joey Weise, 45 year-old Christina Dean, 25 year-old Jarred Dean, and 42 year-old Richard Dean.

Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings acknowledged that several of the names on the list are repeat offenders, but added that for those now facing federal charges, there’s a strong likelihood they wont be back on the streets any time soon.

All individuals are being held to await further court proceedings.

According to Jamestown Police, the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and State Police CNET executed search warrants at 238 Forest Ave. and 22 Bassett St. in Jamestown, along with another arrest on Willard St. Ext. just outside of the city.

Police say crystal methamphetamine was allegedly being sold out of the Forest Ave. residence. The individuals arrested were 44 year-old Christine Dean, 58 year-old Scott Verrett and 61 year-old Dawn Dean.

Meanwhile, the investigation at the Bassett St. residence resulted in police locating methamphetamine, cocaine, suboxone, drug paraphernalia and cash. At that location police arrested 38 year-old Stacie Yancer, 24 year-old Morgan Merrill-Larson, and 26 year-old Dustin Newbree.

The seventh person arrested on Friday was 27 year-old Tyler Anderson, 27, who was taken into custody while walking his dog around 2:25 p.m. near his Town of Ellicott home at 2256 Willard St. Ext.

At that location police recovered 58 grams of cocaine, 4 pounds of marijuana and 15 long guns.

The multi-agency investigation was conducted by the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force and State Police Community Narcotics Enforcement Team.