City woman pleads guilty to federal drug trafficking and weapons charges...
A Jamestown woman will be sentenced next February after pleading guilty in federal court to being involved with another person in trafficking heroin, methamphetamine... and Fentanyl. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced Tuesday that 45 year-old Alisha Klinger entered the plea in U.S. District Court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Prosecutors say Klinger conspired with co-defendant Jacob Snow and others to sell heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine in the Jamestown area. They say those involved used violence acts to collect alleged drug debts. The first -- on Dec. 24 of 2020 -- Klinger and a person identified as "D.R." went to the residence of Holly Berenguer -- an associate of Klinger -- to collect on an alleged debt. They say D.R. struck Berenguer in the face with a handgun, causing a facial fractures and contusions. There was also a January traffic stop when Klinger and Snow were arrested following a search that recovered just over $8,600... a blue crystal-like substance, and cell phones. There were three other incidents... including a raid on her home where nearly $30,000 in drug proceeds were found. Snow was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
Repeat sex offender from Jamestown to spend 20-plus years in federal prison on new Child Porn conviction...
A repeat sexual offender from Jamestown has been sentenced to more than 20 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography involving a pre-pubescent minor. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that 25 year-old Brandon Uber was sentenced Tuesday to 168 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo. DiGiacomo says Uber will also serve three-years of his sentence consecutive to a previous sentence of 210 months for a total of 246 months. At the time of the most recent offense... Uber was awaiting sentencing on a distribution of child pornography charge and was subsequently sentenced to serve 210 months on that charge. Prosecutors say... the most recent charge was made in August of 2024... when federal agents raided Uber's home because of child pornography files he uploaded to a KIK application server. During the search, various electronic devices were seized, including three tablets and a laptop. At the time, Uber was a member of a KIK chat forum used to trade child pornography with other users. Uber used the forum to distribute child pornography to other users and was a moderator of the forum at one point.
City man pleads guilty to federal charge of selling drugs that causes serious, bodily injury...
A man from Jamestown has pleaded guilty to trafficking illegal drugs that cause a serious bodily injury back in July of 2020. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced late Tuesday that 52 year-old David Ledesma pled guilty to the charge in U.S. District Court in Buffalo. It carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of one-million dollars. Prosecutors say... between 2020 and 2023... Ledesma conspired with others to sell narcotics for profit... using social media. In 2020... Ledesma sold drugs to an individual identified as "A.R.," who overdosed and suffered seriously bodily injury. Charges are still pending against Walker.
City Council committee approves HOME funding for STEL and COI's Blooming Gardens housing project...
Funding for a project on Jamestown's eastside to provide more than 40 affordable housing units to help address homelessness, and provide neighborhood stabilization will be acted on by the City Council at the end of the month. The council's Finance Committee Monday night approved using $200,000 in HOME Redevelopment funds for site preparation costs. Committee Chairman Brent Sheldon says two local housing entities -- Chautauqua Opportunities, Inc., and Southern Tier Environments for Living (STEL) are partnering in the Blooming Gardens project. The 44 units at five different locations will involve mainly vacant parcels of land on the westside of Spring Street... south of Crossman... and other scattered sites. There will be five new "infill" homes construction... and, substational rehabilitation of 18 buildings. The Blooming Garden's project recently was awarded a $260,000 grant from New York's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program... and, Homes and Community Renewal program. The $200,000 allocation from the city will be voted on at the Council's voting session on Dec. 29.
Ecklund says with recent snowy weather, the city's Lighting Contest has been extended...
Due to our early snowfall in the Jamestown-area... the city's annual Christmas Lighting Contest has been extended for another week. Mayor Kim Ecklund made the announcement at Monday night's Council work session... noting that it's been difficult to go around and get a good look at the lights on homes and businesses due to the snow covering many of them... and with that nominations are being extended until the end of this week. Ecklund says response has been good for this year's contest... which began on Nov. 17. Officials say the catagories this year include: "Clark Griswold," "Charlie Brown," "Norman Rockwell," "O Holy Night," "Christmas Classics," and a new "Stars, Stripes & Sparkle" for America's 250th birthday. Ecklund says they will post all the pictures on the city's website to be voted on next week. Winners will receive Shop Local CHQ gift cards. This year's sponsors are the Greater Chautauqua Federal Credit Union and, the Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union. For more information... call the Mayor's Office.
