California man convicted of drug conspiracy involving Jamestown-area dealer isentenced to 10 years, six-months in federal prison...
Another key player in Jamestown-area drug trafficking circles will spend more than 10 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced Thursday that 43 year-old La D. Huynh of Chula Vista, Calif., who was convicted of narcotics conspiracy, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Buffalo to 126 months in prison. Prosecutors say that Huynh, a California-based drug trafficker, supplied quantities of methamphetamine, heroin/fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana to other members of the conspiracy. They included Jun Martinez, a Jamestown-based drug trafficker. In 2019... after receiving a large amount of meth... there was a payment issue between Martinez and Huynh, and Martinez stopped taking calls from Huynh. However... sometime in 2020... Huynh and Martinez restarted their operations... and, Huynh began shipping quantities of cocaine... a heroin/fentanyl mix... and meth in the mail, from the San Diego-area. In September of 2020... Martinez traveled to the San Diego area and met with Huynh and co-conspirator Kevin Hughes, receiving large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl. After the transaction... Martinez and Hughes started traveling back to the Jamestown-area... but, during the return trip... they were stopped by an Illinois State Police Trooper. A search of the vehicle led to discovery of about 6,300 grams of methamphetamine, more than 3,100 grams of fentanyl... 2,241 grams of cocaine, and marijuana products... and ,they were arrested. Martinez was previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
Two city men indicted on drug, firearms, and kidnapping charges...
Two men from Jamestown have been indicted on federal charges for drug trafficking... robbery and kidnapping. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that a federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment charging 50 year-old Blake Smith -- also known as "Sweets..." and 45 year-old Willie Graham -- also known as "Wu..." with narcotics conspiracy, Hobbs Act Robbery, kidnapping, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, and use of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. DiGiacomo adds that Smith is also charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and distribution of fentanyl causing serious bodily injury. Prosecutors say that between February 2017, and January 2024... Smith and Graham conspired with Joseph Zaso, and others, to sell heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine in the Jamestown area. During the conspiracy, Smith possessed a firearm. They add that between May 9 and 11 of 2023... Smith sold fentanyl causing serious bodily injury to individuals identified as R. P. and D.C. In March of that year... Smith and Graham are also accused of kidnapped an individual identified as D.D... and, also stole a 25-thousand dollar check from D.D. while brandishing a firearm. Both men face a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
CLPOA looking ahead to what's next after Judge annuls NYS Freshwater Wetlands Regulation Act...
The head of one of the lake groups that successfully sued New York State over it's Wetland Regulations is pleased with the outcome. However... Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association President Jim Wehrfritz says they're also waiting to see how the Department of Environmental Conservation responds to the State Supreme Court decision annuling those regulations. Wehrfritz says they could appeal, or they could do the environmental due diligence, and try to bring the regulations forward again. He says... for the CLPOA... it's gratefying to see their approximately three year effort be successful... along with the other groups involved. The Chautauqua Lake Partnership was also a plaintiff in the suit. He says that will be one of the three main topics at tomorrow morning's 15th meeting of the CLPOA since it formed. Wehrfritz says they'll also review the recent Chautauqua Lake Symposium... and, further discuss their push to create a centralized lake authority and district they feel would better oversee the lake. Tomorrow's CLPOA meeting will be held at the Lawson Boat Center in Bemus Point at 9 a.m., and, will run until 10:30 a.m. Wehrfritz says you can also Zoom into the meeting by going to Zoom -- and punching in: 6346503547... and, the password is CLPOA -- all lower case.
Molitor becoming "increasingly frustrated" by late state budget...
Chautauqua County's Assemblyman says he's become "increasingly frustrated" by a state budget that's now just-over a week late. The legislature was called back to Albany Tuesday to act on another one-week extender as legislative leaders and Governor Kathy Hochul try to work out details of a new spending plan. Molitor... a Westfield Republican... says the current system is "very inefficient..." and, the real work on the spending plan should have been done weeks ago. He says this week was especially frustrating because lawmakers were called back into session Tuesday to approve the $3.2-billion "extender..." and, then were sent home again. Governor Hochul's proposed budget totals just over $262-billion... while the Assembly and Senate bills are between $8-million and $10-billion higher. The budget was due by Apr. 1.
City man arrested for trespassing inside condemned building...
A man from Jamestown has been arrested for allegedly trespassing inside a condemned building on West Second Street -- near Jefferson Street. City police were called to the location on a trespass complaint about 2 p.m. Wednesday... and, found 44 year-old Hector DeJesus inside the building. Officers arrested DeJesus without incident for third-degree criminal trespassing. He was taken to the city jail pending arraignment.
