A federal grand jury has indicted Charles Washington, 41, formerly of Jamestown, New York and now residing in North Carolina, on charges related to narcotics conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and could result in a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua A. Violanti, "between July 2016, and March 2021, Washington conspired with Joseph S. Zaso, and others, to sell heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana in the Olean area." Zaso has already been convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
Washington was arraigned in the Western District of North Carolina. He is currently being held pending a detention hearing that will take place in the Western District of New York.
The case falls under Operation Take Back America. This initiative aims to use resources from the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration issues and combat cartels as well as transnational criminal organizations. It also seeks to protect communities from violent crime by coordinating efforts through programs such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the Jamestown Police Department under Chief Timothy Jackson and the Drug Enforcement Administration led by Special Agent-in-Charge Frank Tarentino for the New York Field Division.
Authorities emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation; "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."
