Chautauqua County Sheriff s Office
Several pounds of marijuana, dozens of guns and thousands of dollars were recovered during a series of multi-agency searches in the south county as part of “Operation Crazy Ivan,” a years-long effort to halt the trafficking of drugs and weapons in the region.
The sweep took place Wednesday at locations in Jamestown, Falconer and Kennedy and included members of the Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, city SWAT team, Ellicott Police Department, Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, FBI, Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and Dunkirk Police Department.
At a 209 West Ave. residence in Falconer, investigators recovered “several pounds of marijuana,” more than $5,000 in cash and two loaded shotguns. The search of a home at 2585 S. Work St. in Falconer resulted in the recovery of 20 firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, cocaine, marijuana and money.
Updated: 2:46 PM EST January 8, 2021
JAMESTOWN, N.Y. Police fanned out before dawn Friday morning executing search warrants at several homes and businesses in the Jamestown and Falconer areas.
The culmination of a year-long investigation resulted in the seizure of several pounds of marijuana, $5,000 and two loaded shotguns from a home on West Ave. in Falconer. At another home on the S. Work Street Extension in Falconer approximately 20 different firearms, including pistols and long guns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, cocaine, several pounds of marihuana, and some cash were seized.
A warrant was also executed at Turney s Auto Repair and Sales on Rt. 394 in Kennedy. A search of several other locations in Jamestown turned up 37 firearms and a quantity of ammunition that is estimated to be more than one hundred thousand rounds in total.
A Fredonia man has pleaded guilty in federal court to drug charges.
U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced Wednesday that Nathaniel Gates Jr., 47, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. to possessing with intent to distribute, and distributing, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth T. Molisani and Charles E. Watkins, who are handling the case, stated that in April 2015, the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating the drug trafficking activities of the defendant in Chautauqua County. During the investigation, investigators made three controlled purchases of narcotics from Gates. Investigators also executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Brigham Road apartment in Fredonia and recovered illegal narcotics and items commonly used in drug distribution.
Drug dealing has led to time served and two years supervised release for a Sinclairville woman.
U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced Monday the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara of Tracy Griffin, 38, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that in January 2019, Griffin and co-defendant Brandon Blackshear conspired to sell acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. On January 2 and 22, members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force conducted controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Griffin and Blackshear.
Drug dealing has led to time served and two years supervised release for a Sinclairville woman.
U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced the sentencing by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara of Tracy Griffin, 38, who was convicted of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who handled the case, stated that in January 2019, the defendant and co-defendant Brandon Blackshear conspired to sell acetyl fentanyl, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. On January 2 and 22, members of the Southern Tier Regional Drug Task Force conducted controlled purchases of crack cocaine from Griffin and Blackshear.