A Jamestown man has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed fentanyl and cocaine in the area. According to U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo, Jaquez Thomas, 22, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and could result in up to 40 years.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua A. Violanti, Stacey Jacovetti, and Louis A. Testani stated that from 2020 through 2022, Thomas distributed drugs he received from Joseph Zaso and used Facebook and Cash App as part of his operations. During this period, Thomas supplied fentanyl to Justin Yuchnitz and Joseph Thayer.
The prosecution also noted that Thomas conspired with Jose Maisonet in 2022. In the spring of that year, Jamestown Police conducted three controlled purchases from Maisonet. Authorities executed a search warrant at Thomas’ Allen Street residence in July 2022, seizing a loaded handgun and drug paraphernalia. Another search at Maisonet’s Forest Avenue residence led to the seizure of suspected crack cocaine and methamphetamine, digital scales, cell phones, and $2,715 in cash.
Joseph Zaso, Joseph Thayer, and Justin Yuchnitz have already been convicted and are awaiting sentencing. Jose Maisonet was previously convicted and sentenced separately.
"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," according to the press release issued by authorities. "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 involved multiple agencies including the Jamestown Police Department under Chief Timothy Jackson; the Drug Enforcement Administration led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank A. Tarentino III for New York Field Division; and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office under Sheriff James Quattrone.
Sentencing for Jaquez Thomas is set for March 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., before Judge Sinatra.
