U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Quentin L. Yancey, also known as Q, on charges of narcotics conspiracy. The 38-year-old Rochester resident faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and could receive up to life imprisonment if convicted.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani, who are prosecuting the case, indicated that Yancey allegedly conspired with Joseph S. Zaso and others to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Rochester area from 2018 until May 26, 2022. Zaso has already been charged, convicted, and is awaiting sentencing.
Yancey appeared before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Roemer for arraignment and was detained pending further proceedings.
This indictment is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at dismantling major criminal organizations in the United States through a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies.
The investigation leading to Yancey's indictment involved several law enforcement agencies: the Jamestown Police Department led by Chief Timothy Jackson; the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III; and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office directed by Sheriff James Quattrone.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation, and Yancey remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.