A federal grand jury has indicted Latika Saintkitts, also known as Tika, from Jamestown, New York, on charges of narcotics conspiracy. The indictment alleges that Saintkitts conspired with others to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Jamestown area between 2018 and May 26, 2022. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani are prosecuting the case. Co-defendants include Andres Pizzaro Campos, Max Pizzaro Campos, Cindy Frank, Edward Leeper, and Jaquez L. Thomas. Joseph S. Zaso was previously charged and convicted in connection with this case and is awaiting sentencing.
Saintkitts appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah J. McCarthy for arraignment and was released pending further proceedings.
The investigation 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. This operation involves collaboration among various task forces including the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by several agencies: the Jamestown Police Department under Chief Timothy Jackson; 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 headed by Sheriff James Quattrone.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation at this stage, and Saintkitts is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.