(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. – A Jamestown man convicted of leading a drug trafficking operation that distributed fentanyl and methamphetamine has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Joel Louis Violanti announced that Rocco A. Beardsley, 39, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., to 300 months in prison after being convicted of narcotic conspiracy and fentanyl distribution resulting in death.
Drug Operation Led to Fatal Overdose
According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti, Evan K. Glaberson, and Jeffrey E. Intravatola, Beardsley conspired with seven others between late 2018 and March 2020 to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other controlled substances in the Jamestown area.
On April 9, 2019, Beardsley sold acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl, which led to the death of an individual identified as J.A. After learning of the overdose, Beardsley attempted to cover his tracks by instructing others to destroy evidence from the scene.
Drug Sales and Law Enforcement Investigation
Beardsley used social media to facilitate drug sales and operated out of residences on Sampson Street and Cowden Place in Jamestown. Law enforcement conducted five controlled drug purchases from Beardsley before executing multiple search warrants at locations connected to the drug ring.
Authorities seized:
- 100 grams of methamphetamine
- 66 grams of fentanyl
- 28 grams of cocaine
- 4 grams of crack cocaine
- A 12-gauge shotgun
- Drug paraphernalia
Investigators also uncovered financial transactions linked to the drug trafficking conspiracy.
Prior Criminal Convictions
Beardsley has a history of drug-related offenses. In 2007, he was convicted in Federal Court for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and sentenced to 57 months in prison. In 2017, he was convicted in New York State Court of criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell.
Multi-Agency Investigation
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarantino, III, New York Field Division, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Bryan Miller, the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie P. Feroleto, and the Town of Ellicott Police Department, under the direction of Chief William Ohnmeiss Jr.
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