Uncle of Drug Trafficking Ring Leader Pleads Guilty for his Role in Narcotics Conspiracy Operating in the Jamestown, NY Area
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Ray Donovan, New York Division announced today that Garland Beardsley a/k/a Charlie Beardsley, 53, of Jamestown NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute, and distributing, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, a fine of $10,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Misha Coulson, who are handling the case, stated that between December 2018 and October 27, 2020, the defendant was an associate in a drug trafficking ring led by his nephew, co-defendant Rocco Beardsley, which sold methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, cocaine, and hydrocodone in the Jamestown area. Garland Beardsley distributed methamphetamine to Rocco Beardsley’s customers. Rocco Beardsley stored, distributed, and manufactured methamphetamine, heroin/fentanyl, and other controlled substances at the defendant’s residence on Newland Avenue in Jamestown. On January 21 and February 11, 2020, an individual working with investigators purchased crystal methamphetamine from Rocco Beardsley at the defendant’s residence.
Charges remain pending against Rocco Beardsley. 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.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the DEA Buffalo Resident Office; Jamestown Police Department/Jamestown Metro Drug Task Force; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
