U.S. Attorney Joel Louis Violanti announced the sentencing of Rocco A. Beardsley, 39, from Jamestown, NY, to 300 months in prison for narcotic conspiracy and distribution of fentanyl causing death. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti, Evan K. Glaberson, and Jeffrey E. Intravatola detailed that Beardsley conspired with seven others between late 2018 and March 2020 to sell methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other controlled substances in the Jamestown area. On April 9, 2019, Beardsley sold acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl leading to an individual's death identified as J.A., after which he attempted to hide his involvement by instructing others to destroy evidence.
Beardsley's drug trafficking activities involved buying and selling fentanyl and methamphetamine for profit and personal use through social media platforms. He used residences on Sampson Street and Cowden Place in Jamestown for these activities. Law enforcement conducted five controlled purchases from him during their investigation.
Search warrants executed at locations linked to the drug conspiracy led to the seizure of approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine, 66 grams of fentanyl, 28 grams of cocaine, four grams of crack cocaine, a shotgun, and drug paraphernalia.
Beardsley has previous convictions including a Federal Court conviction in 2007 for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine resulting in a 57-month prison sentence and a New York State Court conviction in 2017 for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent To Sell.
Seven defendants were charged and convicted in this case as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations threatening the United States.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino III; the Jamestown Police Department led by Chief Timothy Jackson; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives under Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller; New York State Police directed by Major Amie P. Feroleto; and the Town of Ellicott Police Department headed by Chief William Ohnmeiss Jr.