United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BUFFALO, N.Y. –U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Rocco A. Beardsley, 34, of Jamestown, NY, with narcotics conspiracy. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment, between December 2018, and April 2020, the defendant conspired with others to possess and distribute methamphetamine; acetyl fentanyl; crack cocaine; and fentanyl.

Beardsley was previously convicted in Federal Court in 2007 of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and sentenced to serve 57 months in prison. The defendant is currently on New York State parole following a 2017 conviction for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Narcotic Drug Intent to Sell.

The defendant was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer and is being detained.

The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Buffalo Resident Office; the Jamestown Police Department; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.