
A man from Cincinnati, Ohio who was involved in a Jamestown-area drug conspiracy will be spending time in federal prison. U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced Wednesday that 24-year-old Justin Whitfield will serve six years and five months behind bars for his conviction on a charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentencing was the result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force, DEA, and Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office.
Since April 2019, the DEA has been investigating the drug trafficking activities -- including heroin/fentanyl and methamphetamine -- of Rocco Beardsley. Whitfield was identified as an associate and co-conspirator of Beardsley, who is his cousin. He used a source of supply for methamphetamine in the Cincinnati area. Whitfield was responsible for introducing Beardsley to the source, and he used social media conduct drug-related conversations and facilitate his drug trafficking activities.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation.