Jamestown Man Pleads Guilty to Selling Heroin/Fentanyl that Led to Overdose Death and Serious Bodily Injury
BUFFALO, NEW YORK – James Brandow, 34, of Jamestown, NY, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, heroin and fentanyl. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who is handling the case, stated that between July 2020, and June 2021, Brandow conspired with others to sell heroin and fentanyl. Brandow utilized Facebook to conduct his drug trafficking activities including arranging deals with customers, associates, co-conspirators, and suppliers. On July 31, 2020, Brandow sold heroin and fentanyl which resulted in the death of an individual identified as K.T. and resulted in seriously bodily injury to an individual identified as B.F.
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 plea is result of an investigation by the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy Jackson, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, Buffalo District Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III, New York Division.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 14, 2022, before Judge Skretny.
