U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that a federal grand jury has indicted Joseph Thayer, 48, from Jamestown, NY, on charges of narcotics conspiracy. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and could lead to life imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani stated that the indictment alleges Thayer conspired with Joseph S. Zaso and others to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Jamestown area between 2018 and May 26, 2022. Co-defendants include Andres Pizzaro Campos, Max Pizzaro Campos, Cindy Frank, Edward Leeper, and Jaquez L. Thomas. Zaso has already been charged and convicted; he is awaiting sentencing.
Thayer was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is currently detained.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The operation consolidates resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation leading to the indictment involved collaboration between the Jamestown Police Department under Chief Timothy Jackson's direction, the Drug Enforcement Administration led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff James Quattrone.
It should be noted that being charged with a crime is merely an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.