BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that a federal grand jury has returned a 42-count indictment charging 14 defendants with methamphetamine conspiracy. Named in the indictment are:
· Zackiel Fields, Jr.;
· Ernest Cauley, Jr., a/k/a L.A., a/k/a Ernie;
· Jamell Trapp, a/k/a K.S.;
· Ramael Fields;
· Stephanie L. Harrison;
· Marcus Martin Bowman;
· Danny W. Michael, Ill;
· Alexis V. Hall;
· Destiny J. Hare;
· Andrew C. Bennett;
· Searcy E. Fields;
· Jacob A. Motherwell;
· Michael A. Davis; and
· Stacie N. Yancer
The charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a $10,000,000 fine. Some defendants are also facing other charges including: possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, methamphetamine; using and maintaining a drug-involved premises; possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patricia Astorga, who is handling the case, stated that according to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, the defendants are accused of operating a drug trafficking organization, primarily involving methamphetamine, in the Jamestown area, since March 2017.
During the execution of search warrants throughout the investigation, law enforcement officers recovered 10 firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition, over 20 cellular telephones, drug paraphernalia, and U.S. currency.
The defendants were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer. Defendants Danny W. Michael III, Destiny J. Hare, Andrew C. Bennett, Searcy E. Fields, Michael A. Davis, Stacie N. Yancer, Ramael O. Fields, Jamell Trapp, and Zackiel Fields, Jr. are being detained. Defendants Marcus Martin Bowman, Ernest Cauley, Jr., Jacob A. Motherwell, Alexis V. Hall, and Stephanie Harrison were released on conditions.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert, the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James J. Hunt, New York Field Division, and the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Harry Snellings.