BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that a
federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Duane Lowery aka Chi
Chi, 29, of Jamestown, NY, with conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force
and coercion, sex trafficking by force and coercion, kidnapping, narcotics
conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and using and
maintaining a drag-involved premises. The charges carry a minimum penalty of 15
years in prison and a maximum of life.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donna M. Duncan and Joshua A.
Violanti, who are handling the case, stated that according to the indictment,
between October and December 2022, Lowery conspired with others to coerce
individuals to engage in commercial sex acts. Specifically, Lowery forced an
individual to engage in a commercial sex act. In addition, between October and
November 2023, Lowery kidnapped two individuals.
The indictment also accuses Lowery of conspiring with others
to sell and selling fentanyl, using a W. Cowden Place residence in Jamestown
for his drug trafficking activities.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by Homeland
Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Erin
Keegan, the Jamestown Police Department, under the direction of Chief Timothy
Jackson, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff
James Quattrone, and the Olean Police Department under the direction of Police
Chief Ron Richardson.
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.
