Acting U.S. Attorney Joel Louis Violanti has announced that a federal grand jury has indicted five individuals from Jamestown, New York, in connection with a drug conspiracy. The defendants, Andres Pizzaro Campos, also known as Kiki, 33; Max Pizzaro Campos, 34; Cindy Frank, 52; Edward Leeper, also known as Edward Barnes, 46; and Jaquez L. Thomas, also known as Quez, 21, face charges of narcotics conspiracy. This charge carries a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years in prison and could lead to a life sentence.
In addition to the conspiracy charges, Andres and Max Pizzaro Campos are accused of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and maintaining premises for drug activities. These charges include an additional mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison to be served consecutively. Cindy Frank faces an obstruction of justice charge.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani stated that the indictment alleges the defendants conspired with Joseph S. Zaso and others to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Jamestown area between 2018 and May 26, 2022. Andres and Max Pizarro Campos allegedly used a residence on Hazzard Street for their operations while possessing firearms for their trafficking activities. On July 26, 2023, Cindy Frank reportedly gave false testimony to conceal her knowledge about Joseph S. Zaso's involvement in drug trafficking.
Joseph Zaso has already been charged and convicted but is still awaiting sentencing.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation aimed at identifying and dismantling high-level criminal organizations through a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies.
The investigation leading to this indictment was conducted by the Jamestown Police Department under Chief Timothy Jackson's direction; the Drug Enforcement Administration led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III from the New York Field Division; and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff James Quattrone's leadership.
It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation at this stage; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
