U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced the indictment of Ernest Brown, also known as Wayne Perry or Wayne Brown, and James Jackson, also known as Bookah, by a federal grand jury. The two men are charged with narcotics conspiracy in connection with activities in Buffalo and Jamestown, New York. Brown faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and could face life imprisonment. Jackson is facing a mandatory minimum of 10 years with the possibility of life imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani have indicated that between 2018 and May 26, 2022, Brown and Jackson collaborated with Joseph S. Zaso and others to distribute fentanyl in the region. Zaso has already been charged and convicted; he is currently awaiting sentencing.
Both defendants were arraigned before U.S. District Judge Michael J. Roemer and are being held in custody.
This case forms part of an operation under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle significant criminal organizations threatening the United States through a coordinated approach involving prosecutors and multiple agencies.
The investigation leading to this indictment was conducted by several law enforcement bodies including the Jamestown Police Department led by Chief Timothy Jackson, the Drug Enforcement Administration under Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III from the New York Field Division, and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office directed by Sheriff James Quattrone.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an accusation, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.