· Scott
Kennedy, 40, of Beaver Dams, NY, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture,
possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 500 grams or more of a
mixture or substance containing methamphetamine. The defendant a faces a
minimum penalty of 20 years in prison, a maximum of life and a $20,000,000
fine.
· Jared Mendez,
32, of Bradford, NY, pleaded guilty theft of anhydrous ammonia with knowledge
it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine and faces eight years in prison
and a $250,000 fine.
· Terry Champion,
48, of Bradford, NY, pleaded guilty to possession of a listed chemical with
knowledge it will be used to manufacture a controlled substance. The defendant
faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling
the case, stated that between June 2012, and May 4, 2016, Scott Kennedy
conspired with others, including Jared Mendez and Terry Champion, to
manufacture and distribute methamphetamine. Kennedy distributed large amounts
of methamphetamine with and to people throughout the area of Schuyler, Chemung,
and Steuben Counties in New York. During this time, the defendant personally
manufactured large amounts of methamphetamine at his home at 44 Campground Road
in the Town of Catlin and on the property maintained by his sister Wendy
Kennedy at 2200 County Route 19 in the Town of Dix.
During this time, Kennedy also received the assistance of
numerous co-conspirators who provided him with supplies with the intent that he
would use those supplies to manufacture methamphetamine. Between July 2015 and
October 2015, Jared Mendez stole anhydrous ammonia and sold it to Kennedy.
Between January 2016, and May 4, 2016, Terry Champion
obtained quantities of pseudoephedrine and sold it to Scott Kennedy. In
addition, on January 22, 2016, Champion possessed approximately 182
pseudoephedrine pills for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. On that
date, the defendant was pulled over while driving on South Valley Road in
Steuben County. During a search of the vehicle, officers located the
pseudoephedrine pills.
Charges are pending against Wendy Kennedy and another
co-defendant Quinton Harrison. 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 pleas are the result of an investigation by the New York
State Police, Special Investigations Unit, Rochester; the New York State
Police, CNET Southern Tier, under the direction of Major Richard Allen; the
Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of William Yessman;
and the Schuyler County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of
Joseph Fazzary.
Scott Kennedy is scheduled to be sentenced on November 20,
2017; Terry Champion on November 30, 2017; and Jared Mendez on December 1,
2017, all before Judge Geraci.
