ROCHESTER, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that three defendants pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci. Jr. for their roles in a methamphetamine conspiracy:
• 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 Jan. 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 Nov. 20, 2017; Terry Champion on Nov. 30, 2017; and Jared Mendez on Dec. 1, 2017, all before Judge Geraci.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
