(WNY News Now) – Celoron – In a significant development in Chautauqua County’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking, a Celeron resident has admitted to distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, facing a potential life sentence.
Darin L. Butts, Jr., a 31-year-old resident of Celeron, NY, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The plea, announced by U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, was entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer, highlighting the gravity of the offense, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and could lead to a life sentence, along with a $10 million fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis A. Testani, who is prosecuting the case, detailed that Butts was involved in a series of drug transactions in July and August 2023. Investigators conducted seven controlled purchases of methamphetamine and fentanyl from Butts, leading to search warrants being executed on August 23, 2023, at his residence and in his vehicles. Authorities seized approximately 610 grams of methamphetamine, some of it packaged for individual sale, drug paraphernalia, and $14,829 in cash, believed to be proceeds from his drug trafficking activities.
The investigation intensified, resulting in another search warrant executed on May 3, 2024, at Butts’ residence, where additional quantities of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl were confiscated, along with further drug paraphernalia.
This case is the culmination of efforts by several law enforcement agencies, including the Jamestown Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, the Ellicott Police Department, and the Dunkirk Police Department. Their coordinated efforts underscore the ongoing commitment to tackling the pervasive drug problem in the region.
Butts is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.
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