(WNY News Now) – Jamestown – A routine traffic stop on W 6th St. near Murray Ave. resulted in a significant drug bust, leading to the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of various controlled substances.

On July 6, 2024, at approximately 9:21 PM, officers from the Jamestown Police Department conducted a traffic stop on W 6th St. near Murray Ave. What began as a routine stop quickly escalated when officers allegedly observed suspected drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Upon conducting a thorough search of the vehicle, officers discovered methamphetamine and packaging materials, prompting the arrest of the vehicle’s occupants: Ashley N. Gorton, 39, Askiaa K. Faison, 28, both residents of Jamestown, and Evearton W. Simms Jr., 43, from Rochester.

During a search incident to the arrest, officers found individually packaged fentanyl on Faison. Further investigation revealed that Simms was in possession of over $2000 in US currency and a substantial quantity of cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and amphetamine pills.

The charges for each individual are as follows:

• Evearton W. Simms Jr.: Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, two counts in the 4th Degree, and one count in the 5th Degree.
• Askiaa K. Faison: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd, 4th, and 7th Degrees.
• Ashley N. Gorton: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree and Criminal Using Drug Paraphernalia in the 2nd Degree.

All three individuals are currently held pending arraignment in Jamestown City Court. As are all persons accused of a crime, Simms Jr., Faison, and Gorton are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.