Ernest Brown, also known as Wayne Perry and Wayne Brown, was sentenced on July 15 to 175 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 400 grams of fentanyl. U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. ordered that Brown’s sentence be served consecutively to his existing state sentence of 25 years to life for convictions of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon following an Erie County Court jury trial.
According to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, during the narcotics conspiracy Brown acted as a source of supply for Joseph Zaso through co-defendant James Jackson, who functioned as a middleman in the transactions. The group met at various locations in Buffalo including residences belonging to Zaso and Jackson; at times Jackson delivered fentanyl on behalf of Brown. Zaso has been previously convicted and is awaiting sentencing, while charges against Jackson remain pending.
The case was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159 aimed at dismantling criminal cartels and transnational organizations operating within the United States. The HSTF involves collaboration among multiple federal agencies including Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals Service and others.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani prosecuted the case with investigative support from the Jamestown Police Department under Chief Scott Forster; DEA New York Field Division under Special Agent-in-Charge Farhana Islam; and Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff James Quattrone.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York covers 17 counties in western New York; prosecutes federal criminal violations; handles civil litigation on behalf of the United States; collects federal debts; employs about 120 prosecutors and staff members; operates under the United States Department of Justice; maintains its main office at 138 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo with a branch office at 100 State Street in Rochester; engages with community groups; conducts training forums for public safety initiatives, according to the official website.