City man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison on child porn conviction...
A Jamestown man will spend the next 20 years in federal prison for possession of child pornography after having a prior sex offense conviction. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that 65 year-old Timothy Douglas had been convicted earlier of possession of child pornography by a person having a prior conviction related to aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, and abusive sexual conduct involving a minor. DiGiacomo says Douglas was sentenced to 240 months in prison and lifetime supervised release by U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo.... and, he must also register as a sex offender. Prosecutors say in August of 2023... employees at a local grocery store found an unattended cellphone in the checkout area. When they opened the phone to look for the owner’s information, they found sexually explicit images of young girls and immediately called Jamestown Police. City police notified the FBI who helped identify the children in the images... and, a forensic examination of the phone turned-up images of prepubescent minors... or minors under 12-years-old. The investigation determined that between July 2022 and August 2023, Douglas produced images of three minor children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In 2003... Douglas was convicted in New York State of three Felony sex abuse-related charges.
City woman pleads guilty to drug, weapons conspiracy and weapons charges...
A woman from Jamestown has pleaded guilty to federal charges of being part of a drug conspiracy... and, a being in possession of a firearm in doing so. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that 25 year-old Sabrina Flores -- also known as "Notorious Marie" -- entered the plea before U.S. District Court Judge John Sinatra, Jr. to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams or more of fentanyl... and, being a user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors say Flores was an associate of Zaid Mendoza, a Jamestown-based drug trafficker, distributing heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine on Mendoza’s behalf. They says she used Facebook to conduct her drug trafficking activities. On December 7th of 2022... investigators executed a search warrant at Mendoza’s West Main Street residence in Falconer... seizing $1,800 in cash... 34 grams of fentanyl, 14 grams of meth... and other drugs... along with a semi-automatic pistol, and a large capacity magazine. Flores admits that at the time of her possession of the firearm, she was an unlawful and habitual user of fentanyl. DiGiacomo says the charges carry a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life. Charges are still pending against Mendoza.
Overloaded power strip the apparent cause of Wednesday morning porch fire in Jamestown...
Jamestown fire investigators say an overloaded power strip is the cause of Wednesday morning's fire that heavily damaged the front porch of a home on the city's southside. Jamestown fire crews were called to the scene at 93 Barker St. shortly before 9:30 a.m., and, Fire Chief Ryan Rousch says the porch was heavily-engulfed in flames on arrival. Rousch says crews were able to see the smoke from several blocks away -- and while enroute -- they heard that everyone was out of the structure... and, that was confirmed shortly after arrival. Rousch says one person had to be evaluated for minor smoke inhalation at the scene. He says the blaze was knocked down quickly. Rousch adds an off-duty shift was called in to help keep the flames from getting a foothold in the rest of the structure. He adds crews were able to find, and safely rescue two cats from the second-floor.
Local law eliminating Dir. of Public Safety position, coupled with Police Chief, goes through committee and now to full City Council...
The Jamestown City Council will introduce a local law at this month's voting session to eliminate the Director of Public Safety title from the police chief's position. The Public Safety Committee discussed the matter at this week's meeting... with Committee Chairman Tony Dolce laying out the history of the "dual roles" that were put in place about two decades ago... with a Deputy Fire Chief under the director. Dolce says the dual role was held by the Police Chief, earning them a stipend for overseeing both departments. Most recently... Ryan Rousch now has the title of Fire Chief... and, whoever the new police chief is... they will no longer carry that dual title. Dolce says that will provide some cost savings to the city. He says the local law will be automatically tabled for one month... so it will be acted on at the March meeting. Mayor Kim Ecklund... who was not at Monday's meeting... previously told us that Deputy Police Chief Scott Forester is now the "Acting Chief" for the department until a permanent chief is named.
Blakeman endorsed by State GOP Committee to take on Gov. Hochul...
It appears -- barring any last minute challenges -- that the race for New York Governor this November is set. Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman Tuesday accepted the State Republican Party's nomination during their convention in his hometown area of Long Island. During his acceptance speech... the Nassau County Executive gave what was called "a sweeping indictment of Governor Kathy Hochul's record and pledging to fix Hochul’s affordability and public safety crisis. However... Hochul... who saw her primary challenger -- and her current Lieutenant Governor -- end his campaign this week... has seen improved favorabilitly in recent polls. Antonio Delgado has been replaced on the ballot by Hochul.
