City man pleads guilty to federal drug and kidnapping charges...
A man from Jamestown has pleaded guility to federal drug and kidnapping charges in connecton with incidents in late 2022... and, late 2023. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced thhat 31 year-old Dwayne -- "Chi Chi" -- Lowery entered the plea before U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Vilardo to possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl... and, kidnapping. Prosecutors say in December of 2022... a raid on Lowery's West Cowden Place home led to seizure of about 59 grams of Fentanyl... $1,140 in cash... and, drug paraphernalia. Prior to that... investigators made two undercover purchases from Lowery,. In mid-October of 2023... Lowery invited a woman to a North Union Street home in Olean... and, for the next 22 days... the victim was held by Lowery at various locations, including homes he was associated with in Buffalo and Olean... and, a Buffalo hotel. Prosecutors say when the victim tried to flee... Lowery prevented her from doing so. In November of 2023... the victim escaped Lowery’s Buffalo home, and reported the matter to police. DiGiacomo says the conviction carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison... a maximum of life, and a $5-million fine. Lowery is to be sentenced on July 20.
Second suspect arrested in connection with July 2025 shooting in Jamestown...
A second suspect accused of being involved in a shooting incident on Jamestown's eastside last July has been arrested on an attempted murder charge. City police say they have now arrested 24 year-old Ian Sanchez in connection with the incident that occured on July 24 of last year in the area of East Second and Cheney Streets. Officers found an unidentified man who suffered several gunshot wounds, and was seriously injured. Police say the primary suspect... 23 year-old Xavier Ramos of Jamestown... was arrested the day following the incident for first-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon. Ramos remains jailed. Police took Sanchez into custody late last Friday after being indicted by the Chautauqua County Grand Jury on one count each of attempted murder... and, first-degree assault. Sanchez was arraigned Monday morning... and, taken to the county jail on $100,000 cash bail.
Wendel looking forward to new initiatives from Jefferson Project in 2026...
A couple of new strategies are to be implemented to help deal with Harmful Algae Blooms on Chautauqua Lake this year. However... there remain no easy answers to the long-standing issue. That from Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel on the recent update from a member of the Jefferson Project to the county legislature. Wendel says he looks forward to see what those strategies are... which will focus mainly on the Harmful Algal Blooms, and what causes them. The Jefferson Project is into it's fifth-year of studying the role of excessive nutrients from run-off into the lake... and, how they help form the blooms. Their focus has been using advance sensors, lake surveys, and modeling to identify drivers of HABs. Wendel says critics say the findings are "jaded" because Chautauqua Institution has been the main funder of the project... but, he begs to differ. He made his comments for last weekend's "Community Spotlight" program on the six Media One Radio Group stations.
City man and woman arrested on drug and weapons charges after being found passed out in car...
Two people from Jamestown face multiple drug and weapons possession charges after they were found passed out in a car last week at an eastside intersection. City police were called to check on the well-being of the pair on Monday, Mar. 1 at 5 p.m. Officers say they found the driver, Christopher Light, and Aimee Hogg who was a passenger... and, found that both were in possession of a quantity of Methamphetamine... Fentanyl... and, plastic knuckles. Police also found that Light was driving while under the influence of drugs. Light is charged with two counts each of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia... and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon... driving while ability impaired... and, several traffic infractions. Hogg faces two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and one of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Both were taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
Jamestown man arrested for throwing bananas at business worker Monday...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly throwing several bananas at an employee of an eastside business that had previously banned him from the store. City police were called to the location about 7 a.m. Monday on a report of a man throwing items at the worker. Once they arrived... officers determined that 41-year-old Kenneth Walker had become upset and threw the bananas at the employee... damaging store property. Police were able to locate Walker a short distance away... but, he refused verbal commands from officers. Following a brief struggle, Walker was arrested for second-degree harassment... third-degree burglary... fourth-degree criminal mischief... and, resisting arrest. He was take to the city jail pending arraignment.
City man arrested following domestic incident...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested following a domestic incident in which he allegedly punched a television set... breaking it... on the city's eastside. Jamestown police say they were called to the scene shortly after 10 PM last Friday... and, spoke with the victim. The victim said they were arguing with 32 year-old Angel Torres when he punched the TV... breaking it where it no longer worked. Officers say Torres fled the scene... but, was later found a short distance away. He was arrested for third-degree criminal mischief... and, jailed pending arraignment.
