JAMESTOWN – Federal, State, and local authorities have charged a total of 16 people in connection with a drug ring dubbed “Operation Meltdown” that allegedly flooded the city with methamphetamine for nearly a year.
Of the 16 people charged, 10 are facing federal charges for conspiring with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.
Two of those people face charges by criminal contempt that they conspired to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine and that they used a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
“I want to extend my personal gratitude in support of our efforts in this investigation,” said Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings.
Authorities said they believe the methamphetamine that found its way onto these city streets originated from Mexico and made its way from California via U.S. Mail.
“It is significant because much of the attention has gone to the opiate epidemic, and rightfully so,” said Jospeh Karaszzewski of the U.S. Attonrey’s Office.
Officials also said that they may target other individuals in the future for charges because of the scope of the drug ring, which they believe has been operating as far back as 2013.
Federal conspiracy to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine:
- Danny W. Michael
- Alexis Hall
- Destiny Hare
- Andrew Bennett
- Searcy E. Fields
- Jacob A Motherwell
- Michael A Davis
- Stacie N. Yancer
Federal conspiracy to distribute, and to distribute, 5oo grams or more of methamphetamine, Using firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime:
- Jamell Trapp
- Marcus Bowman
Six people charged by New York State
- Evan Motherwell
- Tina L. Motherwell
- Joey A Wiese
- Christine L. Dean
- Jarried M. Dean
- Richard S. Dean
The six who face state charges have additional charges pending, according to Jamestown Police Chief Harry Snellings.
You can watch the full announcement of the charges and hear comments from local, state, and federal authorities, on our Facebook page.
WNYNewsNow’s Justin Gould, Ryan Hedrick and Matt Hummel contributed to this report.
That’s it? That’s all the people?? Seems like there should be another more than that in the list. I see that scumbag snitch Joe Weise is on the list. That guy with do ANYTHING for money. Weise has robbed so many innocent people with his “contracting scheme” he operated. They’ll never get their money back from him.