Kyle Lewis, a 33-year-old resident of Jamestown, NY, has been sentenced to 84 months in prison for his involvement in a narcotics conspiracy. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Joel L. Violanti and delivered by U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, who managed the case, revealed that Lewis engaged in the sale of heroin and fentanyl, sourced from co-defendants Holly Berenguer, Richard Philbrick, and Joseph Zaso. Lewis utilized electronic platforms such as Facebook and CashApp to facilitate his drug trafficking operations. During March, June, and July of 2022, authorities conducted five controlled narcotic purchases from Lewis.
Berenguer, Philbrick, and Zaso have already been convicted and are currently awaiting their sentencing.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying and dismantling high-level criminal organizations posing threats to the United States through a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven approach involving multiple agencies. Further details about the OCDETF Program can be accessed at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The investigation leading to Lewis's sentencing involved collaboration between the Jamestown Police Department under Chief Timothy Jackson's leadership, the Drug Enforcement Administration directed by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III of the New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff James Quattrone.
