City man pleads guilty to federal drug charges for leading narcotics trafficking ring in Jamestown-area...
The leader of a drug trafficking ring in the city of Jamestown has pled guilty to federal charges of narcotics conspiracy... and, distribution of fentanyl... causing death. U.S. Attorney Trini Ross has announced that 38 year-old Rocco Beardsley entered the plea Monday before U.S. District Court Judge John Sinatra, Jr. in Buffalo. Prosecutors say that... between late 2018 and March 2020... Beardsley conspired with seven others sell methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other controlled substances in the Jamestown area. In April of 2019... Beardsley allegedly sold acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl, which resulted in the death of an individual identified as "J.A." They say -- after learning of J.A.’s death -- Beardsley took steps to conceal his involvement in the overdose, including by directing others to destroy evidence at the scene. During that time... he bought and sold fentanyl, and meth for profit and for his own use, utilizing social media to conduct his drug trafficking activities. Beardsley also used homes on Sampson Street and Cowden Place for his drug trafficking activities. During the investigation... law enforcement conducted five controlled purchases from Beardsley. In addition... they say Beardsley and his co-conspirators also made a series of money transfers in furtherance of the conspiracy. During the investigation... raids were also conducted on the homes involved... and, during one... law enforcement seized about 100 grams of methamphetamine, 66 grams of fentanyl, 28 grams of cocaine, some crack cocaine, a 12-gauge shotgun, and drug paraphernalia. Beardsley was previously convicted on federal charges in 2007... and, state charges in 2017. He faces 20 years to life in prison when he is sentenced next July.
Investigation underway into early Friday officer-involved shooting death in Warren Co., Pa...
A Warren County, Pa. man has been killed in an officer-involved shooting following a confrontation in Freehold Township last Friday morning. Pennsylvania State Police and the Warren County District Attorney's Office confirmed the shooting for various media outlets last weekend... and, are continuing to investigate. The 41 year-old man who was killed had not been identified late Sunday. State Police tell the Erie Times-News that the shooting occured about 6 a.m. on Stillwater Rd. between Bear Lake and Sugar Grove. A State Police investigator tells the paper that troopers and local officers from Warren County went to the home for an undisclosed reason... and, during the confrontation... a trooper fired his weapon... killing the man. State Police say the trooper involved in the shooting is now on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
City woman arrested for alleged assault using a pipe wrench...
A Jamestown woman has been arrested for allegedly striking another person with a pipe wrench at a northside business yesterday afternoon... and, damaging property there. City police were called to the unidentified business just after 3:30 p.m. on a report of an assault. Officers say they spoke with the victim once they arrived... and saw that they had suffered a larceration to the head from the wrench. Police also saw a damaged display case... and, merchandise in the business. Their investigation led to the arrest of 19 year-old Brittany Hesslink... who was found a short distance away. Hesslink was taken to the city jail pending arraignment on charges of second-degree assault... third-degree criminal mischief... and criminal possession of a weapon
City Council to vote on Ordinances regarding housing and dealing with public nuisances tonight...
The Jamestown City Council has approved two local ordinances dealing mainly with housing... along with nuisance issues in the city. Lawmakers received more information last Monday on the laws... one of which establishes a Vacant Real Property Registration... and, the other formally creates the Public Nuisance policies. City Development Director Crystal Surdyk says council will act on the third measure... an ordinance regarding rental properties... next month. Surdyk say there are still some areas that need work regarding the Rental Inspection ordinance. The new ordinances have been developed by Deputy Director of Housing Policy, Kasie Faulk, who says they'll be using multiple sources to determine what constitutes a "truly" vacant property. Foulk says they'll be using county resources, neighborhood reports, and others. As for the Rental Inspection ordinance... Surdyk says they hope to have that finalized for a vote next month. In response to a question... Surdyk says they have included ways to deal with tenants who damage or leave a unit in poor condition. Foulk says... the first inspection will cost $50, and, failure to register a recent unit is a $50 fine.
City woman arrested for DWI after leaving the scene of property damage accident...
A Jamestown woman has been arrested after almost hitting a police officer -- then hitting a parked car -- on the city's eastside last Friday night. Jamestown Police were working a Gun-Involved Violence Elimination "Micro Hot Spot Detail" shortly before 10 p.m. in the area of Falconer and Struges Streets... when the officer was nearly struck. Police say the officer then saw the vehicle strike a parked car... and, leave the scene. Officers say they then located the car in the area of Buffalo Street and Blackstone Avenue a short time later. They identified the driver as 64 year-old Marcia Howie... and, further investigation determined that Howie was operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. She was arrested for DWI... leaving the scene of a property damage accident... and, DWI Per Se. Howie was booked and issued an appearance ticket for City Court.
