A federal grand jury has indicted Jeryel L. Winfield, also known as Derezz and Idriys, age 51, of McDonough, Georgia, formerly of Binghamton, New York. The indictment charges Winfield with narcotics conspiracy related to the sale of heroin and fentanyl. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti and Louis A. Testani stated that between 2019 and May 26, 2022, Winfield conspired with Joseph S. Zaso and others to distribute the drugs.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)."
The investigation was conducted by the Jamestown Police Department under Chief Timothy Jackson; the Drug Enforcement Administration led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III in New York; and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff James Quattrone.
"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."
